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ORANGE, California – Diego Pacheco couldn’t quite keep a proud grin from emerging as he watched his brother sign with Golden Boy Promotions, and considered his own bright future.
Pacheco, the WBO’s No.1-rated super middleweight to champion Canelo Alvarez, may be bound to join Alvarez on his May 3 card in Saudi Arabia. There is speculation that Pacheco could fight former super middleweight champion Caleb Plant on the card, which also includes the 168-pound rematch between Jaime Munguia and Bruno Surace.
Alvarez headlines the card by seeking to return as undisputed super middleweight champion against IBF champion William Scull of Cuba.
“I know there’s some big things lining up for me soon,” Pacheco told Steve Cureno III of KO Artist Sports. “Nothing’s locked in yet, but we’re in the works of making some big fights happening.
“That’s what we’re in the sport for, trying to get to the top. That’s what we’re going for. I have good faith we’re making the right decisions for my career.”
The 23-year-old Pacheco, 23-0 (18 KOs), of South Central Los Angeles, is less than three weeks removed from his unanimous-decision victory over veteran Steven Nelson in Las Vegas.
In Plant, 32, Pacheco would meet the former IBF champion whose 23-2 (14 KOs) record is only marred by losses to Alvarez and David Benavidez.
“If I were to get in there with Caleb Plant, I feel [he’s] the best fighter in the division, aside from Canelo – skill-wise, experience wise,” Pacheco said.
“I would love to get in there with him one day [to] earn my shot, earn my respect in the division and keep going from there to hopefully become world champion very soon.”
Pacheco spoke while attending the official announcement that his brother Federico Pacheco Jnr, 7-0 (5 KOs), has signed with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
“This is something my dad envisioned…it was amazing to hear Oscar announce my brother as his fighter…he deserves this,” Diego Pacheco said.
“Me and my brother have some good genes. Despite our height [Diego is 6’4’’], we can move, stick our jab … we work on our defense every day.”
Potentially fighting Plant would be Pacheco’s stiffest test to date, and a victory would strengthen his chances to meet Alvarez, who recently signed a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabian boxing financier Turki Alalshikh.
“I would have my foot all the way in the door, either as a title eliminator with Canelo or William Scull … those are the type of fights that intrigue me and the types of fights I want going forward,” Pacheco said.
