Pacheco tested by McCalman in unanimous decision win
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Super middleweight up-and-comer Diego Pacheco has looked superb in most of his fights, but even when that was not the case he still had more than enough to turn back a solid challenge from Shawn McCalman and win a unanimous decision on Saturday night at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Pacheco defeated the awkward and heretofore unknown McCalman 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94 in the co-feature of the Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN headlined by the IBF junior welterweight title elimination bout between Richardson Hitchins and Gustavo Lemos.
“I think he was a hell of a fighter. My respect to him,” Pacheco said. “Fight went how it’s supposed to go. When two tough fighters get in there that’s how it gets. Great fight and I hope the fans enjoyed it.”
McCalman, who had never previously faced anyone of note or boxed in a fight scheduled for more than eight rounds, showed himself to be quick fisted with good head movement, which gave Pacheco some problems. But McCalman also held quite a bit and seemingly tried to frustrate Pacheco, who was the 2023 Fight Freaks Unite prospect of the year.
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