Pacheco vs McCalman Predictions: Not all unbeaten fighters are created equal

Diego Pacheco looks to fortify his reputation as the super middleweight division’s one to watch when he takes on fellow unbeaten Shawn McCalman. This battle of the unbeatens takes place on Saturday April 6 from the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada. Matchroom handle the promotion with DAZN screening this intriguing match-up. Here are my Pacheco vs McCalman predictions as the 168-pound division prepares to anoint another superstar.

Pacheco has thus far lived up to the billing. The LA-born puncher has racked up a 20-0 record with 17 knockouts. Still only 23 years of age, Pacheco has gained entry into the world rankings of all four major sanctioning bodies. Only the WBA has him outside their top five while the WBO have him as high as second, with only Jaime Munguia above him. Once Munguia has got his scheduled fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez out of the way, Pacheco is right at the front of the queue.

He must win against McCalman to stay there of course. But Pacheco looks well-placed to do so. The prospect has nine consecutive knockout wins and has gone 6-0 under new-ish trainer Jose Benavidez Sr, who used to handle Amir Khan.

There are eye-catching wins on Pacheco’s resume, if nothing groundbreaking just yet. He’s young, the career-defining fights will come. But a fourth round TKO of ‘Little Leaver’s Meat Cleaver’ Jack Cullen looks good on the ledger. As does a ninth-round stoppage of Marcelo Coceres last time out. Aficionados might remember Coceres as a Billy Joe Saunders WBO title challenger back in the day.

McCalman is a dangerous opponent at this stage of Pacheco’s journey. Nobody would have blamed the 23-year-old for marking time with something of a walkover while the ‘Canelo’-Munguia fight played out. But instead, Pacheco meets a fellow unbeaten fighter over 12 rounds in a tricky test.

‘The Amazing’ has built his record at a lower level than Pacheco, it has to be said. He has also fought exclusively in eight-rounders or less. A win over former prospect Money Powell IV stands out on his record. The German-born fighter was once tipped for great things, but McCalman had little trouble outpointing him over eight rounds. 

Pacheco is a different kettle of fish, however. McCalman has never been down in his 15-fight career, but he’s also never been hit by the kind of power Pacheco possesses. It’s been three years since anyone heard the final bell against the American. 

Will ‘The Amazing’ buck that trend? I don’t believe so. McCalman has performed well at a level, but I don’t believe he is ready for what Pacheco brings to this fight. I think he’ll battle well, with the sort of bravery intrinsic to a fighter who doesn’t know what defeat tastes like. But ultimately, the Colorado stylist will come unstuck.

As for when and how, I’m thinking a middle-round stoppage for Pacheco. Pacheco in rounds 4-6 at 11/4 sounds about right. Another step on the road to a seemingly-inevitable world title shot for Pacheco.

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