Pacheco's latest victory came on July 19 at The Star in Frisco, Texas. He outpointed Trevor McCumby over twelve rounds, showcasing his stamina and ring smarts. This win further cemented his status as a rising contender in the 168-pound weight class.
Standing at 6'4", Pacheco's got the size and power to make waves. He's already the WBO's top contender and is knocking on the door of the WBA and IBF top 10 rankings. His journey to the top started with eight national titles as an amateur before he turned pro in late 2018.
Earlier this year, Pacheco made a statement with a wide decision win over Steven Nelson on a DAZN main card. After that fight, he said:
"I feel that now I have amassed the strength. I'm more focused than ever, and I'm ready."
Matchroom Boxing's now pushing to get Pacheco installed as the WBO mandatory challenger. This move could land him a title shot before the year's out.
The super-middleweight division's got some serious talent. Canelo Álvarez sits at the top with his 63-2-2 record and all the belts. He's likely to defend against Terence Crawford next. Other big names in the mix include Christian Mbilli, the WBC interim champ, and top-10 ranked fighters like Callum Simpson, Edgar Berlanga, and Ossleys Iglesias.
Pacheco recently turned down a fight with Mbilli in Quebec. He explained his decision:
"Why would I go over there and be B-side when I'm building my profile here in the United States? ... I'm just ready to continue growing and believing in my team, believing in myself and getting to these big fights."
Instead, Pacheco's looking for a ranked opponent in a title eliminator or to secure mandatory status. At 24, he's taking a measured approach to climbing the division. His next moves will likely target top-10 opponents to boost his profile and inch closer to a world title shot at 168 pounds.
If Pacheco keeps winning, he could find himself on the world-title stage sooner rather than later. A showdown with Canelo or other division champs like William Scull might be on the horizon. The young fighter's confident but measured approach could pay off big in the competitive super-middleweight landscape.