Diego Pacheco further enhanced his world title level credentials at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, as he defended his WBC USA and WBO International super middleweight belts with a sixth round knockout win against Macej Sulecki.
DAZN broadcast Pacheco vs Sulecki.
Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) had been gradually stepping up in class in recent times, and he was last out in April, taking a points win over ten rounds, and the unbeaten record of Shawn McCalman in Las Vegas.
Sulecki (32-3, 12 KOs) challenged for the WBO title in 2019, losing every round against Demetrius Andrade, but had won four straight fights since, all at a low-key level, the last a points win over ten against Rowdy Legend Montgomery in May.
With the first two rounds essentially a feeling-out process, the pair opened up and exchanged fire in round three, with Pacheco landing with some heavy right hands in particular.
Pacheco continued his assault in round four, connecting with his right hand as well as an uppercut, but Sulecki got his attention towards the end of the round, landing with a couple of power shots.
RIGHT ON TIME! 🧨@RealDPacheco lands a CRUNCHING 6th round body shot to Sulecki and move 22-0!
🔛🔝🔜#PachecoSulecki live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/8SamL3qGNH
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 1, 2024
Pacheco then laid the foundations for an early finish with a relentless assault in the fifth, and a round later, a sickening left hand to the to the liver folded the Pole, who was rolling around the canvas in agony, and unable to beat the referee’s count. He was still prone for some time after the conclusion of the bout.
Jaime Munguia could be next for Pacheco, after the 23-year-old called the Mexican out post-fight.
Clarke tested by Apochi
British cruiserweight champion Cheavon Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) made a US debut, but he failed to ignite in a majority decision win over Efetobor Apochi (12-3, 12 KOs). Clarke took the IBF International and WBA Intercontinental titles with tallies of 98-92 and 97-93 going in his favour, with a third judge scoring the bout 95-95.
Undercard recap
Mexican super bantamweight Arturo Popoca (15-0-1, 8 KOs) kept hold of his WBC Continental Americas title as he was on the right side of a split decision against Jesus Arechiga Valdez (21-2, 15 KOs). Two scores of 96-94 won the bout for Popoca, with the other judge scoring 98-92 for Valdez.
Adelaida Ruiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs) lost her interim WBC super flyweight title, with former Olympian Ginny Fuchs (4-0, 1 KO) taking a split decision win. One judge scored 97-93 for Ruiz, but scores of 100-90 and 97-93 ensured Fuchs took home the belt.
𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕’𝒏 🏴☠️ And The New!@GinnyFuchsUSA defeats Adelaida Ruiz via split decision to pick up the WBC Interim Super Flyweight Title 👏
📝 100-90 Fuchs, 97-93 Ruiz… 97-93 Fuchs! #RuizFuchs | @DAZNBoxing | #PachecoSulecki pic.twitter.com/fmD4Ql5sLG
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 1, 2024
IBF super featherweight number one contender Eduardo Nunez (27-1, KO27) impressed, and he became only the second boxer behind Vasyl Lomachenko to halt Miguel Marriaga (31-8, KO26). Nunez dropped Marriaga earlier on in the contest, but a wicked body shot at the end of the sixth session had Marriaga on the deck again, and his corner pulled him out on the bell.
Fabian Rojo (9-1, 7 KOs) had a Matchroom debut to forget, as Alejandro Frias Rodriguez (16-10-2, 7 KOs) scored two knockdowns on the way to a 58-54 win on all three cards over six rounds at welterweight.
Criztec Bazaldua (6-0, 1 KO) took a hard-earned points win over Kyle Irwin (7-3, 3 KOs) at super lightweight, and Super flyweight prospect Alexander Gueche (6-0, 5 KOs) scored a first round knockdown, and won all six rounds against David Vargas Zamora (8-5-2, 5 KOs).
