Diego Pacheco stops Marcelo Coceres in nine rounds to remain unbeaten

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Diego Pacheco’s homecoming on Saturday was a bit of a struggle early on, but he was able to secure a knockout win.

Pacheco stopped former world title challenger Marcelo Coceres in Round 9 before a partisan crowd at the YouTube Theatre, not far from his hometown of South Central Los Angeles. 

Pacheco, The Ring’s No. 9-rated super middleweight, improved to 20-0, 17 KOs. 

The struggle was fought at a sluggish tempo by means of the primary two rounds, because the taller 22-year-old contender measured Coceres with a gradual jab.

Each fighters let their palms go extra throughout the third spherical, as Coceres tried to get on the within of Pacheco’s guard. As soon as he was in a position to get in vary, Coceres centered his assault to the physique, whereas Pacheco tried to attach with straight proper palms to Coceres’ head. 

Coceres did his finest work, as much as that time, early in spherical 5, connecting on an overhand proper. Moments later, he related on a lead left hook to the chin of Pacheco, who took the punches effectively. With a couple of minute left within the spherical, Coceres landed a lead left hook that snapped again the top of Pacheco. 

The success throughout that spherical gave Coceres extra confidence throughout spherical six as he walked down Pacheco. Coceres continued to throw lead and counter left hooks as Pacheco tried to throw and land straight proper palms to Coceres’ head. 

Coceres continued to struggle on his entrance foot going into the second half of the struggle. Coceres was in a position to join with a sequence of punches early in spherical eight, however Pacheco responded with a mixture to the top that introduced cheers from the group. About halfway by means of the spherical, a left hook to the top landed that snapped Coceres’ head. Pacheco did his finest work throughout the last moments, as he pinned Coceres in opposition to the ropes, connecting with a sequence of hooks and crosses to the top.

Each fighters had their moments in spherical 9, however a mixture despatched Coceres again in opposition to the ropes. A proper uppercut to the top dropped Coceres to the canvas, in opposition to the ropes. Coceres remained on one knee, as referee Ray Corona counted him out at 2:53.

“I knew it was going to be a troublesome struggle,” mentioned Pacheco after the struggle. “Coceres got here to struggle. I wanted this struggle in my profession.

“After boxing just a few rounds, I used to be in a position to let my palms go extra and land (punches). It was a great expertise for me. He was taking good pictures. I’m happy with my efficiency. I may’ve completed higher. 

“I really feel like I’m one of many high guys within the division. 2024, I’m prepared for no matter.”

In his earlier struggle on July 7, Pacheco stopped once-beaten Martin Gallegos within the fourth spherical in Monterrey, Mexico. On March 11, Pacheco dropped fringe contender Jack Cullen twice en path to a knockout win in Liverpool, England. 

Coceres, who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, falls to 32-6-1, 18 KOs. 

Together with the loss to Pacheco, the 32-year-old has misplaced 4 of his final six fights, together with defeats to Edgar Berlanga, Erik Bazinyan, and Meiirim Nursultanov. In November 2019, Coceres challenged then-WBO world tremendous middleweight titleholder Billy Joe Saunders, shedding by knockout within the eleventh spherical. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He could be reached at [email protected]

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