INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Diego Pacheco’s homecoming was a little bit of a battle early on, however he was in a position to safe a knockout win.
Pacheco stopped former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres in spherical seven earlier than a partisan crowd on the YouTube Theatre, not removed from his hometown of South Central Los Angeles.
The 22-year-old Pacheco, who’s ranked No. 10 by The Ring, improved to 20-0, 17 KOs.
The combat was fought at a gradual tempo by the primary two rounds, because the taller Pacheco measured Coceres with a gentle jab.
Each fighters let their fingers go extra in the course of the third spherical, as Coceres tried to get on the within of Pacheco’s guard. As soon as he was in a position to get in vary, Coceres centered his assault to the physique, whereas Pacheco tried to attach with straight proper fingers to Coceres’ head.
Coceres did his finest work, as much as that time, early in spherical 5, connecting on an overhand proper. Moments later, he related on a lead left hook to the chin of Pacheco, who took the punches nicely. With a couple of minute left within the spherical, Coceres landed a lead left hook that snapped again the top of Pacheco.
The success throughout that spherical gave Coceres extra confidence throughout spherical six as he walked down Pacheco. Coceres continued to throw lead and counter left hooks as Pacheco tried to throw and land straight proper fingers to Coceres’ head.
Coceres continued to combat on his entrance foot going into the second half of the combat. Coceres was in a position to join with a sequence of punches early in spherical eight, however Pacheco responded with a mixture to the top that introduced cheers from the gang. About halfway by the spherical, a left hook to the top landed that snapped Coceres’ head. Pacheco did his finest work in the course of the closing moments, as he pinned Coceres in opposition to the ropes, connecting with a sequence of hooks and crosses to the top.
Each fighters had their moments in spherical 9, however a mixture despatched Coceres again in opposition to the ropes. A proper uppercut to the top dropped Coceres to the canvas, in opposition to the ropes. Coceres remained on one knee, as referee Ray Corona counted him out at 2:53.
“I knew it was going to be a tricky combat,” stated Pacheco after the combat. “Coceres got here to combat. I wanted this combat in my profession.
“After boxing just a few rounds, I used to be in a position to let my fingers go extra and land (punches). It was expertise for me. He was taking good pictures. I’m happy with my efficiency. I may’ve accomplished higher.
“I really feel like I’m one of many high guys within the division. 2024, I’m prepared for no matter.”
In his earlier combat on July 7, Pacheco stopped once-beaten Martin Gallegos within the fourth spherical in Monterrey, Mexico. On March 11, Pacheco dropped fringe contender Jack Cullen twice en path to a knockout win in Liverpool, England.
Coceres, who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, falls to 32-6-1, 18 KOs. In his earlier combat on Could 19, Coceres stopped Leonel Avila within the second spherical.
Together with the loss to Pacheco, the 32-year-old has misplaced 4 of his final six fights, together with defeats to Edgar Berlanga, Erik Bazinyan, and Meiirim Nursultanov. In November 2019, Coceres challenged then-WBO world tremendous middleweight titleholder Billy Joe Saunders, shedding by knockout within the eleventh spherical.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
