Diego Pacheco vs Steven Nelson
Diego Pacheco will defend his USWBC and WBO Worldwide Tremendous-Middleweight titles towards Steven Nelson at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Saturday, January 25, dwell worldwide on DAZN – with Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz taking up Omar Salcido and Ernesto Mercado going through Jose Pedraza on his Matchroom debut.
Pacheco (22-0 18 KOs) is closing in on World title motion because the #1 ranked contender with the WBO and sitting fairly at #3 within the WBC and #4 with the IBF.
The LA star headlines for the sixth present in a row and for the second time in Las Vegas, the place he noticed off Shawn McCalman on factors in April, earlier than returning to his house turf in August to report his 18th win inside the space with a sickening physique shot KO win over Maciej Sulecki – performances that additional bolstered his standing as one of many hottest abilities within the recreation, which was confirmed by ESPN rating Pacheco #2 of their record of the highest fighters below 25, second solely to pound-for-pound star and stablemate Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Nelson (20-0 16 KOs) has been looking an enormous combat and now will get the prospect to derail Pacheco’s rise to the highest and transfer himself into the good place that his younger foe has reached. The 36 yr previous final tasted motion in August in Los Angeles with a fifth-round stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez on the undercard of his good good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.
“I’m very excited to be again within the ring early 2025 towards one other undefeated opponent –the DP present continues,” mentioned Pacheco.
“That is the kind of combat I been wanting so I can present the world who I’m,” mentioned Nelson.
Cruz vs Salcido
Like Pacheco, Cruz and Mercado are concentrating on World title motion in 2025, and so they can lay down an early marker to land the massive fights in crunch clashes towards Salcido and Pedraza, respectively.
Cruz (4-0 2 KOs) is ranked #4 with the WBA and the IBF at 135lbs and will probably be knocking on the door for a World title shot even louder if he can declare a fifth win within the professional ranks in Sin Metropolis.
The 2020 Olympic gold medal man picked up a pair of spectacular wins in 2024, first locking out Brayan Zamarripa over ten rounds in Orlando in February after which recording his second win inside the space with a seventh-round stoppage of Antonio Moran in Los Angeles in August.
The fifth man to attempt to halt Cruz’s progress is Mexican Salcido (20-1 14 KOs). Salcido will enter the bout filled with confidence after stopping Chris Colbert within the ninth spherical of their conflict in Florida in October, and the 24 yr previous can add an much more spectacular scalp to his resume within the form of Cruz.
“January 25 is one other alternative for me to showcase my expertise to the world and shine,” mentioned Cruz. “That is one other take a look at on my journey to turning into a World champion the place all the hassle and dedication will probably be put to the take a look at. All my coaching and sacrifice has introduced me right here. Once I enter the ring, I’m not solely combating my opponent. I’m difficult my very own limits as I intention for greatness.”
“At the beginning, I wish to thank God, Matchroom and my workforce for this nice alternative,” mentioned Salcido. “I’m working exhausting, camp goes nice, I’m making ready mentally and bodily for a struggle.
“Andy Cruz is a proficient fighter; nonetheless, I’m up for the problem. I do know the significance of this combat, a win over Cruz will probably be large and can open many nice alternatives for me. I dedicate this combat to my household and all of the boxing followers that will probably be watching on DAZN.”
Mercado vs Pedraza
Mercado (16-0 15 KOs) will get a second likelihood to make his Matchroom debut in Las Vegas, as his deliberate bow below Eddie Hearn in Philadelphia was axed after his opponent blew the load. ‘Tito’ will probably be desirous to make up for misplaced time, and after touchdown three KO wins from three fights in 2024, the 23 yr previous will look to kick off his 2025 in fashion towards the Puerto Rican.
Former two-weight World ruler Pedraza (29-6-1 14 KOs) boasts an enviable CV plagued by nice names, and the 35 yr previous will probably be trying to make use of all that have to derail Mercado’s progress. ‘Sniper’ held the IBF Tremendous-Featherweight title from 2015 to 2017 and the WBO Light-weight crown in 2018 and having shared the ring with fashionable greats like Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis, Pedraza will probably be out to show he nonetheless has ambitions on the very high degree.
“I’m excited to get again within the ring and much more now that I’m going through former world champion Jose Pedraza on January 25 in Las Vegas,” mentioned Mercado. “Don’t miss it as a result of I’m going to knock his bald-headed ass out in a manner you will have by no means seen earlier than!”
“I’m actually joyful to return to what I’m enthusiastic about: boxing,” mentioned Pedraza. “I’m grateful for this chance that Matchroom have given me to face a younger, top-quality fighter. I’ll present the world that I’m at a stage the place there’s nonetheless a number of combat in me to change into a world champion as soon as once more.
“I’ve by no means turned down any opponent. All of them have been elite fighters and this time is not going to be the exception. Ernesto has the identical starvation I had at his age nevertheless it’s the identical for each of us as a result of this combat can resolve his future. If he beats me, he’ll transfer on and chase his dream, however I even have that starvation in me. I’ve to win to get that shot to change into a three-weight world champion.
“On 25 January in Las Vegas the followers will get pleasure from a combat the place a younger fighter seems to beat me, a fighter with an amazing résumé however he’ll fail. Mercado must wait a bit longer and I nonetheless keep in mind the message he despatched to me. I’ll use it as an amazing supply of motivation and let him know that we have been made in Puerto Rico.”
Eddie Hearn
“It is a vastly vital night time for 3 of our World champions in ready,” mentioned Hearn. “Diego and Andy are proper on the cusp of World title motion, and Tito needs all the massive names at 140lbs and needs to maneuver shortly – so all three of them should be on level towards hungry and harmful opponents on January 25.”
Additional additions to the undercard will probably be introduced quickly.
Extra World Information
