Diego Pacheco overcame some late resistance from Steven Nelson to win a unanimous decision in their 168-pound fight. 

The win took Pacheco’s record to 23-0 as he eyes a world title shot. Meanwhile, Nelson suffered the first loss of his career. The opening round was very cagey, with neither man giving too much away. Things opened up in round two. Pacheco found the target with a right hand before Nelson returned in kind. Another right hand found success for Pacheco, as Nelson was cut over his left eye.

The momentum was with Pacheco in the second half of the fight. He found that right hand again, buzzing Nelson in the tenth round. Just when Nelson looked out of steam, he shook Pacheco with a left hook in the last round. But the American remained composed to win on the cards: 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111. All eyes are now on a title shot, as Canelo could be targeted. 

“We are No. 1, we need to be called as mandatory to Canelo Alvarez. We are still probably 1-2 fights away [from being] ready for that level. That was a good test tonight, now we need one of those big names. Charlo, Plant, Berlanga, Munguia, Mbilli — that’s the next step,” Eddie Hearn