Terence Crawford wasn’t happy with how fellow Omaha, Neb. native Steven Nelson was unable to capitalize on the flaws in super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco’s game last Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
Left crochet
Former four-division world champion Crawford says the entire fight he was yelling at Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs) to throw left hooks because Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) was turning, exposing his back with his defensive tactics.
All Steven could say in his defense was that he got a cut over his left eye in the third and that he saw yellowing on that side.
Nelson (36) did not take advantage of this flaw. Indeed, he fought the wrong fight for the first ten rounds, and it wasn’t until the 11th and 12th rounds that he went after the lanky, stork-tall 6’4′ Pacheco, overwhelming him with punches and pressure. By then it was too late, and Diego, 23, survived and won in 12 rounds by unanimous decision.
Too little, too late
However, that didn’t stop him from fighting hard in the final two rounds to get close. He should have been on the attack much earlier instead of waiting until the end of the fight to go after Pacheco.
The score was 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111.
Pacheco vs. Nelson Final Shot Stats
– Diego Pacheco – 132 of 464 shots for 28.4%
– Steven Nelson – 77 of 560 shots for 14.8%
Terence Crawford: “I was trying to tell you the whole fight [to throw] hook. He [Diego Pacheco] continued like this [turning his back to him]. Throw a fucking hook,” Terence Crawford said in the locker room, admonishing Steven Nelson for failing to take advantage of the openings that were there all night in his fight against Diego Pacheco.
Steven Nelson: “I couldn’t see his eye [left]. It was orange and yellow. So this s*** right here. I was hesitant to get caught here. So that’s why it was hard to do that s***. Blood. You know, right after I got the cut in the third round, it all started.”
Reminder after the fight in Steven Nelson’s locker room 🔊 #PachecoNelson pic.twitter.com/M7V8kEMwrQ
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 26, 2025
