Unbeaten Californian Diego Pacheco believes he is the best young fighter in Matchroom’s talented roster of boxers.
The rangy, 6ft 4ins super-middle from Los Angeles has impressed on high profile undercards but is keen to steal the spotlight when he battles Jesus Moroyoqui Palomares (7-0-1, 4 KOs) at the Dome Alcalde – CODE Jalisco in Guadalajara on Saturday night, live on DAZN.
“I have fought on Canelo cards and Anthony Joshua cards, and I was the smallest guy on the card,” said the 20-year-old Pacheco (11-0, 8 KOs). “I feel that this sort of show that gives me the chance to take over the night and show everyone that I am next.
“I think that I am the best young fighter at Matchroom, but in my next two or three fights, for those that don’t believe it yet, I will prove that I am the best prospect at Matchroom, and the next big star in boxing.
“I always knew that I had what it takes to compete with anybody in the pro game. I’ve been going through the process slowly and I think that people are now recognising that I am a talent and things like that, it’s pushing me to keep going because I know that I have a lot to learn and achieve in the sport, I’m so hungry and I want to show that I am going to be a world champion, and I want to fight for a world title when I am 22.
“I am not where I want to be but I happy with where I am going, I’m trusting the process and I know that nothing just happens overnight. I just have to stay dedicated; I have big dreams and a lot of other prospects that I get compared to are 24 or 25, people forget that I am only 20, I have a lot to learn, and I am not into my man strength yet.
“I think that at 21-22, people will see my full potential. I’m excited to be fighting on DAZN with the new Matchroom deal. It’s all over the world and I am going to get new fans watching me, so I want to put on a show.
“It was one of my toughest fights yet last time out [W8 Rodolfo Gomez], going through that has helped me in camp for this fight, I see things a little differently now. I’ve been sparring with [Gilberto] ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez in this camp, he’s got a fight soon, and here in LA you just meet at a gym at a certain time, and you all just work, so I am never worried about getting good sparring.”
Pacheco is part of a packed card in Guadalajara, headlined by heavy-handed Mexican Julio Cesar Martinez (17-1, 13 KOs) defending his WBC flyweight crown against compatriot Joel Cordova (12-4-2, 3 KOs).
Main image: Matchroom Boxing.