Steven Nelson’s trainer, Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, says the highly ranked super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco is a “fabulous boxer, but he’s just got to wait his turn.” BoMac wants the 23-year-old Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) and his team to know that it’s not his time yet. He’s just got to wait in line.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
You could tell from Pacheco’s team that they didn’t take too kindly to being told by BoMac that they had to wait, because they see Diego as the guy to take over the 168-lb division.
Canelo Alvarez is on his way out and doesn’t appear to be taking on the top fighters anymore. Pachedo is the guy who is heading for stardom at Super Middleweight.
“Wait Your Turn” – BoMac to Pacheco
BoMac and Terence Crawford both know that it’s now-or-never for the 36-year-old Nelson. He’s too old to keep hanging around, and he probably won’t get another chance if he loses to Pacheco on Saturday night. It took Steven this long to get to this fight, and now he’s got to show what he can do.
Pacheco and Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) will headline this Saturday, January 25th, at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas. The event will be shown live on DAZN. In the chief support, 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz fights Omar Salcido in a 10-round WBC lightweight title eliminator.
Eddie Hearn: “BoMac, this is a guy that you’ve been shouting about for a long time. Terence has been saying, ‘Give this guy an opportunity. He’s a world class champion.’ The moment is here on Saturday night, a real fight, and a great fight as well. I know you guys really fancy this one,” said promoter Hearn during today’s final press conference for Saturday night’s event on DAZN.
Trainer Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre: “We’re ready. We’re never on the B-side, but that’s okay. We’ll take the challenge.”
Hearn: “You’ve been on both sides of the spectrum of fighters coming through. Now, you have a guy that has never been given the opportunity [Nelson]. He’s an older guy and it must happen now for him. He’s undefeated, he’s 20-0. On the other side, a young man [Pacheco] looks like he’s been tested but has never actually been tested.
“Obviously, the plan is to test him. What’s the difference between these two guys, and why does your charge win on Saturday night?”
BoMac: “They’re both great fighters, and he has a great trainer, Benavidez’s dad [Jose Sr.] But what makes Steven a little bit different is probably that IQ, and that will and determination. Now, the kid [Pacheco] is young. He’s a fabulous boxer, but he’s just got to wait his turn.”
Hearn: “I know his [Nelson] pedigree in the gym. He’s slightly older than him. How bad does he want it on Saturday night?”
BoMac: “Y’all see. ”
Coach Jose Benavidez Sr: “We got to make a statement. I know Diego is ready to take over 168, and on Saturday, everybody is going to see the new face of boxing.”
Hearn: “Steve Nelson might not be the biggest name in the world, but everybody knows how good he is. Some will say, ‘Why Steven Nelson? That’s a dangerous fight?’ But we want real fights. We have to prove it.”
Crawford was at the press conference in support of his friend, Nelson, but there’s nothing he can do to help him on Saturday night against Pacheco. If Nelson doesn’t have the talent to win this fight, Terence is just going to have to sit back and watch the spectacle.
You’d think that if Nelson was a big deal, fans would have known by now. He wouldn’t have had to wait until he was 36 to prove it.
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