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Pacheco Clashes With Aleem On Stacked LA Card
Diego Pacheco will defend his WBC Silver and WBO
International Super-Middleweight titles against Immanuwel
Aleem at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on
Saturday July 18 live worldwide on DAZN – with tickets on
sale now!
Pacheco (25-0 18 KOs) holds lofty positions in all the
governing bodies - #3 WBO, #4 WBC and IBF, #7 WBA – and will
be out to impress on a night that represents a new chapter
in his blossoming career. The LA star penned a new deal with
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom over the weekend, and July 18 will
be his first fight with new trainer Buddy McGirt and the 25
year old fights at the esteemed California coliseum known as
the War Grounds for the second time, having previously KO’d
Maciej Sulecki there in 2024.
Aleem (22-4-3 14 KOs) has his own title aspirations and at a
fiery first face-off in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday before
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez became a three-weight World ruler, the
32 year old told Pacheco in no uncertain terms that he was
the man to hand him his first defeat. ‘The Chosen One’ will
be looking to crash into the top-end of the rankings with
the biggest win of his career and bounce back from defeat in
his last outing in March, a distance reversal against Lester
Martinez for the interim WBC World title.
“I’m very happy to be extending my deal with Matchroom and
Eddie Hearn, who have believed in me since I was 17,” said
Pacheco. “This second chapter of my career is about legacy
and becoming a World champion, and it all starts July 18.”
“I have earned my place in this sport, and I intend to keep
moving forward,” said Aleem. “There is no doubt in my mind.
There is no hesitation in my preparation. There is no
uncertainty in my purpose. I am prepared. I am focused. I am
ready. And when the moment arrives, I'll do what I've
trained my entire life to do, perform at my highest level
and leave no questions behind – my hand will be raised on
July 18.”
A stacked undercard is led by a massive fight in the
Lightweight division as Andy Cruz and Albert Bell clash in a
final eliminator for the IBF World title. Cruz (6-1 3 KOs)
is hunting his second crack at the IBF strap having been
edged out in his first World title showdown by defending
champion Raymond Muratalla in Las Vegas in January. The
Cuban Olympic hero will put himself back in line for the
belt but meets stiff opposition in Bell (28-0 9 KOs), the
unbeaten Ohioan who will view this as his coming out party
if he can hand back-to-back defeats to Cruz.
“I’ve already proven that I belong at the World championship
level,” said Cruz. “Now it's time to earn that opportunity
once again. Albert Bell is a good fighter, but I'm focused,
motivated, and ready to take the next step. This final
eliminator is my chance to get back where I belong—fighting
for the IBF World title.”
“I’m really looking forward to this fight and long-awaited
opportunity,” said Bell. “Being an avoided fighter for a big
portion of my career I’m just ready to show the world who I
am, and that’s one of the best in the boxing business. I’m
happy I finally get to show case what I bring to the table
against world class opposition on boxing’s biggest network.
After July 18 the lightweight division will officially have
a new player in the mix to be “the guy” at 135lbs.”
Albert ‘Chop Chop’ Gonzalez is a hotly-tipped name for the
future, and he takes on Aaron Lopez Alameda over ten rounds
at Featherweight. Gonzalez (17-0 10 KOs) has already landed
two wins inside the ten round distance this year in January
and March, and the Robert Garcia trained 24 year old will be
hunting a fourth straight stoppage win to put the
Featherweight division on notice against former World title
challenger Alameda (30-3 17 KOs).
“First and foremost, I want to thank God, my team, and
everyone who supports me,” said Gonzalez. “I also want to
thank Top Rank, Matchroom, and DAZN for this opportunity.
Fighting at home in Southern California on a card this big
means a lot to me. Aaron Alameda has fought for a World
title before, so I know how tough he is. I’ve been putting
in all the work, so now it’s my time to shine. I’m going to
put on a great show on July 18.”
British Heavyweight starlet Leo Atang makes his American
debut on the card and will be looking to continue his
destructive start to life in the paid ranks. Atang (7-0 6
KOs) bagged a sixth KO win in seven pro-outings in June,
adding Fouad Shaili to a list of five victims that have
failed to reach the second round against him.
"The worldwide tour continues,” said Atang, who will fight
over six rounds against an opponent to be named soon. “I’m
buzzing to be making my American debut on such a great card.
I’m always grateful for the opportunities I am being given
at such a young age, and this will definitely be a great
experience. I can’t wait to get another knockout win on July
18. It’s LA in LA. Make sure you tune in, live on DAZN.”
Atang is joined by another young Matchroom tyro as Frank
Espinoza fights for the fifth time in the paid ranks and
will be hunting a fifth straight KO win over six rounds,
with an opponent to be announced in due course, and further
undercard additions will be confirmed soon.
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