Preview: Pacheco vs Nelson Kicks Off US Boxing Year

After a lengthier than usual winter break from boxing in the United States, boxing year 2025 kicks off in earnest this weekend in Las Vegas with a lively Matchroom Boxing card full of contenders and rising stars who want to impress fans and sanctioning organizations.

Top super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco of Los Angeles (22-0, 18 KOs) is ranked number one by the WBO and in the top four by the remaining three bodies. Pacheco headlines his sixth show for Matchroom, taking on another ambitious and undefeated challenger, Steve Nelson of Omaha (20-0, 16 KOs).

Steve Nelson, egged on by trainer Brian McIntyre, gives Diego Pacheco the business at their weigh-in. Can he do it in the ring on Saturday? Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

The card airs on DAZN, starting with undercard fights at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. All fighters made weight on Friday.

Pacheco Loves The Spotlight

Diego Pacheco and Team Benavidez in Las Vegas. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Pacheco says he loves being in Matchroom’s first big card of 2025. “I’ve been fighting for six years as a professional, and I’m 22-0, and I’m 23 years old. I feel I’m stepping into my prime now without being afraid of taking on the biggest challenges. I hope fans enjoy watching DP 2025.”

Steve Nelson would like to squash Pacheco’s dreams. The 36-year-old is a part of the Terence Crawford stable, a regular sparring partner who trains with Brian “Bomac” McIntire. He can absorb all the lessons of world-class talent around him. An Army veteran, Nelson got a late start in boxing and wants to make up for lost time.

Steve Nelson has come a long way and doesn’t intend to stop on Saturday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

“I’ve never been this focused or worked this hard or been this determined for nothing in my life, and it will show on Saturday,” said Nelson.

“Diego is 23 and can take a loss and bounce back. I’m 36 from Omaha, Nebraska, and I’ve been through hell to get here, and not just in boxing. I’ve been through everything, and I can’t afford to lose, so if you think I’m going into this fight to lay down, I’m not. He can make it hard or easy, but I’m not losing or backing down.”

Nelson called a potential victory “life-changing,” not only for his family but for his community.

“I’m fighting for people who didn’t get the opportunities but have the talent in and outside of boxing. It’s not personal or business. It’s destiny and God’s plan. This is part of the story. I promise I will beat him on Saturday.”

Diego Pacheco is only gaining in strength as he progresses toward a title fight opportunity. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Nelson has a big hill to climb. Pacheco has been on nearly every knowledgeable boxing observer’s prospect of the year list. In his last fight in August, Pacheco drilled solid title challenger Maciej Sulecki with a sick body shot for a knockout, one we could hear ringside with the force of a flash grenade.

Pacheco vows he’s just getting started and has plenty of hunger to work toward a title fight, which will be a step closer with a win on Saturday.

“Obviously, Canelo (Álvarez) has three of the belts, and [William] Scull has the other belt. Either one who’d like to give me the opportunity, that’d be amazing. Who will be the one that is going to give me the challenge?” Pacheco says he’s gained strength and is ready for whoever comes his way.

Nelson’s personal story is inspiring and compelling, but he is 13 years older than Pacheco and lacks the level of experience or pressure he’ll need for a victory. Expect Nelson to put on a spirited performance and take Pacheco into deeper rounds. Inevitably, Pacheco will work to the body and set up a TKO-style attrition stoppage in the championship rounds.

Undercard Lineup Features Rising Stars

Andy Cruz and Omar Salcido during their weigh-in Friday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

In the co-main event, Cuban Olympic Gold medalist Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) will face a solid test from Omar Salcido of Lakeside, California (20-1, 14 KOs). The IBF International and WBA Continental Latin American lightweight titles are at stake.

Cruz, age 29, is on a fast track after an accomplished amateur career, including Olympic gold. Salcido is coming off an impressive ninth-round upset knockout of Chris Colbert in October.

Tito Mercado will introduce himself to fight fans against former title challenger Jose Pedraza. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Junior welterweight prospect Ernesto “Tito” Mercado of Pomona, California (16-0, 15 KOs), makes his debut with Matchroom Boxing. He will face former lightweight and junior lightweight titlist Jose “Sniper” Pedraza of Puerto Rico (29-6-1, 14 KOs).

Mercado is well known on the Southern California club circuit, where he’s easily handled his business while seeking a bigger stage. Although Pedraza has seen better days, he remains an experienced veteran who will do his best to test Mercade for one last paycheck.

Leonardo Rubalcava and Israel Mercado get a little spicy at Friday’s weigh-in. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Super lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava of California (9-0, 3 KOs) faces Israel Mercado of California (11-1-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round bout to open the card.

Before the Bell Action

Nishant Dev hopes to make a splash against Alton Wiggins on Saturday. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Young fighters making their Matchroom debuts will appear on the “Before The Bell” undercard airing on DAZN’s YouTube channel at 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. PT.

Matchroom’s first signing of a fighter from India, Olympian Nishant Dev, will make his professional debut at super middleweight against Alton Wiggins of Modesto, California (1-0-1).

Zaquin Moses during his weigh-in before his fight on Saturday, January 25, at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Melina Pizano, Matchroom

Lightweight Zaquin Moses of Newark (1-0), the 19-year-old younger cousin of Shakur Stevenson, appears in his second professional bout against Alex Palette of Puerto Rico (1-3, 1 KO).

Undefeated lightweight Harley Mederos of Brooklyn (7-0, 6 KOs) faces Arturo de Isla of Mexico (5-2-1, 4 KOs) in Mederos’ first fight since signing with Matchroom.