Diego Pacheco will defend his WBO International Super-Middleweight title against Steven Nelson at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan

Pacheco (22-0 18 KOs) is closing in on World title action as the #1 ranked contender with the WBO. The LA star headlines for the sixth show in a row and for the second time in Las Vegas, where he saw off Shawn McCalman on points in April, before returning to his home turf in August to record his 18th win inside the distance with a sickening body shot KO win over Maciej Sulecki – performances that further bolstered his standing as one of the hottest talents in the game, which was confirmed by ESPN ranking Pacheco #2 in their list of the top fighters under 25, second only to pound-for-pound star and stablemate Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.

Nelson (20-0 16 KOs) has been hunting a big fight and now gets the chance to derail Pacheco’s rise to the top and move himself into the great position that his young foe has reached. The 36 year old last tasted action in August in Los Angeles with a fifth-round stoppage win over Marcos Rodriguez on the undercard of his good friend and fellow Omaha fighter, Terence Crawford.

“I’m very excited to be back in the ring early 2025 against another undefeated opponent –the DP show continues,” said Pacheco.

“This is the type of fight I been wanting so I can show the world who I am,” said Nelson.

Diego Pacheco will defend his WBO International Super-Middleweight title against Steven Nelson at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Saturday, January 25, live worldwide on DAZN – with Cuban Olympic star Andy Cruz taking on Omar Salcido and Ernesto Mercado facing Jose Pedraza on his Matchroom debut.