Undefeated super middleweights Diego Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) of Los Angeles and Omaha, Nebraska's Steven “So Cold” Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs), faced off at the final press conference ahead of their clash Saturday at the Chelsea Theater at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas live on DAZN.
Here is what the fighters ahd to say.
DIEGO PACHECO
“I’m more than ready for this test and I know Steven Nelson is a great fighter with a great team. I want to thank him for taking this fight and taking this amazing opportunity for both of us as we look to get to the next level. I come from the trenches too so it’s going to be a fight. We are going to put on a great fight for the fans and the best man will win.”
“I definitely can win and feel like ever since I was 10 years old I’ve been training hard nonstop, never taking any breaks. Boxing is my passion and I have the talent, the physical attributes combined with my hard work. It’s a given for me to be here and something I’ve dreamed about as a kid to be headlining events and now I’m here. It’s a dream come true and I’m not letting up and backing down from nobody. I made my other opponents look easy when I won and this is going to be a great fight on Saturday.”
STEVEN NELSON
“I’m ready to go and everyone has seen an OK version of me. 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. Diego is 23 and can take a loss and bounce back. I’m 36 from Omaha, Nebraska, and 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.
This victory would be life-changing for my family and I’m not fighting for myself. I’m fighting for a whole community of people. 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.”
JOSE BENAVIDEZ SR. (DIEGO PACHECO TRAINER)
“I know this is a hard test for us. We train very hard, and we’ve been working with Diego now for quite a while. He’s improving every time, but we also need to make a statement. I know that Diego is ready to take over the 168 division, and Saturday everyone will see the new face of boxing.”
“Nelson is the type of fighter that our team needs to go to the next level. I think Diego Pacheco has shown little by little, and has improved with every fight. We’re not going to stop now.”
BRIAN MCINTYRE (STEVEN NELSON’S TRAINER)
“They are both great fighters and Diego has a great trainer but what makes Steven a little bit different is probably that IQ and that will and determination. Diego is young and a fabulous boxer, but he’s just got to wait his turn.”
EDDIE HEARN
“The big fights keep on coming. Earlier today we announced the big one, the best fighter at 147 pounds, Jaron “Boots” Ennis will take on Stanionis for the IBF, WBA, and Ring Magazine Championship April 12th at boardwalk hall. A few minutes later it was announced by his excellency that Conor Benn will fight Chris Eubank Jr April 26th in front of 70,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. One thing that I’m so proud of at the moment is the young talent coming through from Matchroom. So much great young talent is here on display.”
“I love this fight, it’s a real world class matchup. Diego Pacheco, a young man who a lot of people are talking about him as the future of the division against Steven Nelson who I am delighted to get this opportunity. I think he has grinded away for a long time. As I said, this is a real fight.”
ANDY CRUZ
“I am ready to put on a great show and I don’t talk much outside of the ring as I like to do my talking inside it. Everyone is a good swimmer when they aren’t in the water but I look forward to Saturday night.”
“This is a step up in my career and my full focus is on my fight against a Mexican fighter and a warrior. I have prepared very well for this and I will show what I can do in the ring.”
OMAR SALCIDO
“Andy is a great amateur fighter but we have been working really hard these last few months and have a plan to get this victory.”
ERNESTO MERCADO
“This isn’t a step up for me. That guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m going to go over there and knock him out, and then I’m going to call out the names I’ve been wanting. Shakur for example. Keyshawn [Davis] can get it too. Saturday night I’m going to go over there and do my thing and put this guy out.”
“I feel like this is going to be the fight of the night. He has experience, but he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Everytime he stepped up and fought good fighters he hasn’t been able to pull the trigger. I’m about to do the same thing. I’m going to beat him up in a better way than Keyshawn did, and show you all what’s up.”
JOSE PEDRAZA
“My previous fight didn’t go well but now I feel like I’m better physically, mentally and spiritually in order to perform well. I have to take what God gives me despite the setbacks I’ve had and we will continue to work hard.”
“This might be a step up for Tito, but it’s not a step up for me. Each step up that I’ve had in my career I’ve managed to complete them. My goal is now to become a three-time World Champion in three different weight classes. I will continue to train and hope to achieve that goal. I will show what I can do in the ring and there’s no point in continuing to listen to Tito and expand his ego at all. I will do my talking in the ring.”
NISHANT DEV
“It’s a dream to sign with Matchroom Boxing, I’m so excited to perform in my pro debut. I’m ready to show who I am and what I’m capable of. I believe in myself, India believes in me, my family believes in me. I’m ready to show on Saturday night who I am.
“I am ready for Saturday. I have been training for three months and now is the time for me to shine like a diamond.”
ZAQUIN MOSES
“I’m ready to do what I do best and have fun on Saturday. Every fighter should feel better than what they did last time out and should focus on progressing on each and every fight. I’m going to show that I’m getting better each time.”
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