Diego Pacheco passed another test Saturday night by stopping Immanuwel Aleem, but promoter Eddie Hearn believes the unbeaten super middleweight still needs one more thing before he becomes one of boxing’s biggest attractions.
Following ing Pacheco’s 11th-round knockout of Aleem in Carson, California, Hearn acknowledged that the 25-year-old has yet to land the signature opponent capable of elevating his profile beyond that of a highly regarded contender.
“He hasn’t had the breakout night,” Hearn said to Fight Hub TV. “He’s had some brilliant opponents and he’s had some brilliant nurturing in the right direction, but he hasn’t had the breakout night. I feel like Munguia is that breakout fight for Diego Pacheco.”
Hearn has already identified WBA super middleweight champion Jaime Munguia as his preferred target for November, potentially returning Pacheco to Dignity Health Sports Park for the biggest fight of his career. He also mentioned other possibilities before making it clear that Munguia sits at the top of the list if the fight can be made.
The challenge for Matchroom is that finding a breakout opponent may prove easier to discuss than to deliver.
Hearn can pursue Munguia, but making the fight requires the champion’s agreement. If that matchup doesn’t materialize, the list of opponents capable of transforming Pacheco into a marquee attraction becomes much shorter. Several established names at 168 are no longer viewed as being at their peak, while many of the division’s other leading contenders lack the commercial appeal that Hearn was describing.
Pacheco continues to win and improve, particularly in his first outing with trainer Buddy McGirt. The next step, however, may depend less on what he does in the ring than on whether Matchroom can secure the opponent Hearn believes will finally provide the breakthrough.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/19 at 12:53 AM
