Contender Diego Pacheco Returns In July With New Trainer

Unbeaten super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco will take another step toward a world title shot when he faces veteran Immanuwel Aleem in a scheduled 12-round bout on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The fight was confirmed by Matchroom Boxing and will stream live on DAZN, 

The matchup was actually unveiled Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona, where Pacheco and Aleem faced off in the ring ahead of the Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Antonio Vargas WBA bantamweight title main event. The announcement also coincided with news that Pacheco has signed a multi-fight contract extension with Matchroom Boxing.

The 25 year old Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) is from Los Angeles and is coming off one of the toughest tests of his career. Despite suffering a knockdown, he rallied to earn a hard fought decision victory over previously unbeaten Kevin Lele Sadjo in December.

Also, importantly, the bout against Aleem will mark Pacheco’s first fight under the guidance of hall of fame trainer Buddy McGirt following Pachecho's split from longtime trainer Jose Benavidez Sr.

McGirt, a former two division world champ in the ring, has trained former world champions like Arturo Gatti, Antonio Tarver, Hasim Rahman and Sergey Kovalev.  He'll definitely bring championship credentials to the corner of Pacheco.

“I’m very happy to be extending my deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn, who have believed in me since I was 17,” Pacheco said in the release. “This second chapter of my career is about legacy and becoming a world champion, and it all starts July 18.”

The 32 year old Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs) is from Richmond, Virginia, and enters the fight after falling short against Lester Martinez in a unanimous decision loss for the vacant WBC interim super middleweight title on March 21.

“I have earned my place in this sport and I intend to keep moving forward,” Aleem said in the announcement. “There is no doubt in my mind. There is no hesitation in my preparation. There is no uncertainty in my purpose. I am prepared. I am focused. I am ready. And when the moment arrives, I’ll do what I’ve trained my entire life to do, perform at my highest level and leave no questions behind. My hand will be raised.”

While Aleem has shared the ring with several notable opponents throughout his career, Pacheco will be favored, as he continues his climb toward a championship opportunity.

In the co-main event, 2020 Cuban Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), who now fights out of Miami, will face unbeaten contender Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) from Toledo, Ohio, in an IBF lightweight title eliminator. Matchroom Boxing secured promotional rights to the bout through a purse bid.

The winner will become the mandatory challenger for IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla, who earned the title with an action-packed majority decision victory over Cruz back in January. 

Muratalla will make his first defense against former 130 lb. champ Robson Conceicao on August 1st. So, a Cruz win over Bell a couple of weeks earlier could set up an intriguing rematch with Muratalla.