Promoter Eddie Hearn has been weighing options for Diego Pacheco in the super middleweight ranks and dropped a few interesting names during a recent chat. While a rumored clash with Christian Mbilli has been floated for the interim WBC title, Hearn says Pacheco is actually the WBO’s No. 1 contender. That means he’s on track to be Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory within the next six months or so, so Hearn’s priority is lining up a strategic bout that gets Pacheco closer to that dream shot.
Trevor McCumby has emerged as one appealing possibility. Hearn thinks he’d be a great next test for Pacheco, noting McCumby’s experience fighting Caleb Plant in the past. On top of that, Hearn adds he’d love to schedule Pacheco against fellow super middleweight Edgar Berlanga somewhere down the line. Berlanga has one fight left on his Matchroom deal, which is set for March 15 in Orlando, Florida, and Hearn is hoping the Puerto Rican star renews his contract so bigger fights can be hashed out.
When it comes to that rumored Mbilli matchup, Hearn admits it’s "a dangerous fight" but acknowledges Pacheco needs a tough test if he’s serious about facing Canelo. He also emphasizes that Pacheco’s top-spot status with the WBO means everything has to be planned with an eye toward a possible Alvarez showdown in the near future. The 22-year-old Los Angeles native is riding high on momentum, so it’ll be interesting to see which “step-up” bout Hearn settles on.
As for Berlanga, Hearn says they didn’t have the most ideal scheduling this time around, but the door remains open for continued collaboration once Berlanga’s current deal concludes.
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing