For Steven Nelson, his dreams of advancing his boxing career to the next level may have hit a roadblock. During the pre-fight conference, Nelson acknowledged the stakes, stating that at his age – he turns 37 in June – a win was crucial for his world title aspirations. However, his 23-year-old opponent had his own ambitions. Diego Pacheco, a stablemate of David Benavidez, has his sights set on a potential career-defining clash against super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez. Losing this fight was simply not an option for him.

Using his height and reach advantage, the California-born fighter of Mexican heritage outboxed the Army veteran to secure a unanimous decision victory. For Steven Nelson, the result presents a steep uphill battle. At this stage in his career, and given the current state of modern boxing, mounting a successful comeback will be no easy task. Even close friend and undisputed champion Terence Crawford appeared dissatisfied with Nelson’s performance.

Disappointment was evident on Nelson’s face as he sat to answer media questions post-fight. Wearing dark glasses, possibly to conceal the nasty cut he sustained during the bout, Nelson reflected on the match. “What is your assessment of Pacheco? What do you think at 23, after going 12 with him, his potential is? What he’s got to work on? What he does well?” a reporter asked.

Steven Nelson admitted that Diego Pacheco is a ‘good boxer.’ He praised Pacheco’s composure. It was impressive for someone so young to remain disciplined under pressure. He also emphasized that Jose Benavidez Sr.‘s student could be ready for a game-changing fixture. Nelson said, “He didn’t let me, you know, throw him off when I was trying to step to him and stuff like that.”

By then, a somber-looking Terence Crawford had joined his friend. When asked to evaluate Nelson’s performance, as well as Pacheco’s, Crawford gave a measured response. The first male two-division undisputed champion commended both fighters but admitted that Nelson started too slow. “Pacheco did what he was supposed to do; he jabbed, he stayed disciplined with his distance, and when it came down to fighting, I just felt like, you know, it was too late,” confessed the Nebraskan southpaw disappointedly.

Terence Crawford: A last-minute push that fell short

Crawford’s assessment wasn’t far off. After a tentative start in the early rounds, the momentum shifted in Pacheco’s favor as he used his pawing jab to halt Nelson’s advances. Pacheco’s patience paid off. In the middle rounds, capitalizing on his opportunities, he landed decisive blows while maintaining control of the distance. The pattern was clear: Nelson tried to close the gap, but Pacheco repeatedly thwarted him with well-timed jabs.

“I saw him coming in, was catching him, sticking to my jab and the game plan,” Pacheco explained later. By the championship rounds, Nelson, with a cut over his left eye, sensed the fight slipping away. He made a last-ditch effort to pressure Pacheco. But it was a classic case of too little, too late.

During the post-fight press conference, Nelson and Crawford’s trainer, Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, acknowledged Pacheco’s preparation and execution. “You guys did a fabulous job. I’ll take my hat off to y’all,” McIntyre said to Eddie Hearn, Pacheco, and Jose Benavidez Sr., who were addressing the press at the time.

Do you think Diego Pacheco’s victory over Steven Nelson proves he’s ready for a clash with Canelo Alvarez?