Highly rated super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco is a “fantastic boxer, but he just has to wait his turn,” Steven Nelson's trainer Brian 'Bomak' McIntyre said. BoMac wants the 23-year-old Pacheco (22-0, 18 KO) and his team to know it's not time yet. He just has to wait in line.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
You can tell from Pacheco's team that they didn't take too kindly when BoMac told them they had to wait, because they see Diego as the man to take over the 168-pound division.
Canelo Alvarez is on his way out and doesn't seem to be facing top fighters anymore. Pacido is the man headed for Super Middleweight stardom.
“Wait your turn” – Pomak to Pacheco
Both BoMac and Terence Crawford know it's now or never for the 36-year-old Nelson. He's too old to keep hanging around, and he probably won't get another chance if he loses to Pacheco on Saturday night. It has taken Steven this long to get to this fight, and now he has to show what he can do.
Pacheco and Nelson (20-0, 16 KO) will headline this Saturday, January 25, at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas. The event will be shown live on DAZN. In main support, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz takes on Omar Salcedo in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator.
Eddie Hearn: “Pomak, this is the guy you've been screaming at for a long time. Terrence said, 'Give this guy a chance.' He's a world champion.” The moment here on Saturday night, a real fight, and a great fight too. “I know,” promoter Hearn said during today's interview. You guys are really imagining this.” Final press conference for Saturday night's event on DAZN.
Coach Brian “Bomak” McIntyre: “We're ready. We're never on Side B, but that's okay. We'll accept the challenge.”
Hearn: “I've been on both sides of the spectrum of fighters coming up. Now, you have a guy who's never been given a chance (Nelson). He's an older guy and it needs to happen to him now. Undefeated, 20-0. And on the other side, the young guy (Pacheco) looks like It has been tested but not actually tested.
“Obviously the plan is to test him. What's the difference between these two guys, and why should your charge win on Saturday night?”
Pomak: “They're both great fighters, and he has a great coach, Benavidez's father (Jose Sr.). But what makes Steven a little different is his IQ, and that will and determination. Now the kid (Pacheco) is young. He's a great boxer, but he just has to wait his turn.” “.
Hearn: “I know his (Nelson's) pedigree in the gym. He's a little older than him. How badly would he want it on Saturday night?
Pomak: “You'll see.”
Coach Jose Benavidez Sr.: “We have to make a statement. I know Diego is ready to take on the 168th job, and on Saturday everyone will see the new face of boxing.
Hearn: “Steve Nelson may not be the biggest name in the world, but everyone knows how good he is. Some will say: Why Steven Nelson? This is a dangerous fight? But we want real fights. We have to prove it.”
Crawford was at the press conference to support his friend Nelson, but there was nothing he could do to help him Saturday night against Pacheco. If Nelson doesn't have the talent to win this fight, Terrence will have to sit back and watch.
You would think that if Nelson was a big deal, fans would know that by now. He didn't have to wait until he was 36 to prove it.
