Diego Pacheco remained undefeated when he faced Shawn McCalman live from BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Saturday, April 6. The pair battled it out in the co-feature on the card topped by Richardson Hitchins vs Gustavo Daniel Lemos.
The scheduled for 10 rounds super middleweight bout went the full distance. The Los Angeles native defeated his opponent of Denver, Colorado by decision. The scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94, all in favor of Pacheco.
With the victory, Diego Pacheco improved his unbeaten record to 21-0, 17 KOs. The Renton, Washington-based 23-year-old retained his WBC USA and WBO International belts.
Shawn McCalman dropped to 15-1, 7 KOs. The Aurora, Colorado-based 30-year-old suffered his first career defeat.
“I think he was a hell of a fighter. My respects to him,” Pacheco said post-fight. “The fight went how it supposed to go. When two tough fighters get in there, that’s how it gets. Great fight, and I hope the fans enjoyed it.”
“He is a tricky fighter. He has skills and he got power as well. He is a tricky fighter. I came in here and I did my best and that’s what it was.”
“He had a long reach, but that’s how it goes in boxing. Some fights are going to get ugly, some fights are going to be slower paced than others. But we gotta do what we gotta do to get the W and that’s what I did today.”
“He kept coming in with his head and a few elbows, stepped on my foot a few times. All those things that he tried to do to get me out of my game place, but I stuck to it, listen to my corner and we came out with the W.”
“I feel like fights like this teach you more than when you get these guys out of there real quick. So, I’m happy we went the distance. Everything happens for a reason. I’m here, I’m learning and I’m getting better each fight. Let’s get it.”
“I’m ready, I’m right back in the gym getting ready for the next one. I told Eddie [Hearn] we need a top 10 guy next. Hopefully he hets that for me.”
When asked for the names, Pacheco said “Anybody in the top 10”. The top 5 contender in three sanctioning bodies previously said he would face Edgar Berlanga, Christian Mbilli or Erik Bazinyan.