Why Diego Pacheco and Andy Cruz are in need of emphatic wins this weekend

Diego Pacheco clashes with veteran Immanuwel Aleem in the main event, while Andy Cruz faces Abraham Montoya in chief support this weekend in Carson, California, and live on DAZN.

And it’s fitting that Pacheco and Aleem are sharing the bill at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday night as they’re in a similar position — in need of an emphatic victory after letdowns in their respective last bouts.

The undefeated 25-year-old Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) suffered an eighth-round knockdown in his December fight with Kevin Lele Sadjo. Although he showed acumen and mettle in making the adjustments necessary to remain undefeated by picking up the unanimous decision, the victory wasn’t one to lift him to the precipice of challenging for a world title at 168 pounds.

If the super middleweight wants to permanently shed the major prospect tag and be seen as a major threat, he needs nothing short of a highlight victory against a durable Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs). Pacheco enters the bout ranked across all governing bodies — as high as No. 3 with the WBO — and those placements are solid, but it’s time to seriously bang down the door toward a title shot. I believe he has the talent to become a world champion at 168 pounds, but must show new wrinkles and evolution to his fighting game now.

It’s apt timing considering Pacheco just inked an extension with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and has enlisted the services of esteemed trainer Buddy McGirt. To send a message to the division’s world champions in Jaime Munguia, Christian Mbilli, Osleys Iglesias, Hamzah Sheeraz and the ever presiding presence of Canelo Alvarez, Pacheco must not only win, but dazzle Saturday night. 

The same can be said for Andy Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs) who is coming off a stinging majority decision defeat at the hands of Raymond Muratalla in their January bout for the IBF lightweight world championship. The Olympic gold medalist entered that fight as the favorite and boxed well, but couldn’t resolved Muratalla’s pointed attack during the championship rounds and suffered his first defeat.

If the Cuban is going to boost himself back into a title hunt, he will need a stellar showing against veteran journeyman Montoya (24-7-1, 14 KOs). Anything less will mark a setback for Cruz who has yet to taste world championship glory on the professional level following a decorated amateur pedigree.

All this being said, for what they’re each trying to accomplish, it’s only right that Pacheco and Cruz serve as the one-two punch to Saturday night’s card, live on DAZN.

Carson, California needs to be grounds where each man elevates his career.