Pacheco Outpoints Nelson, Cruz dominates Salcido

Diego Pacheco defeated WBA Continental Americas Super Middle Champion Super Middle over 12 rounds on Saturday night at the Las Vegas Cosmopolitan, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada. In the co-main event, IBF International Champion Andy Cruz easily defeated Omar ‘Super’ Salcido by a ten-round unanimous decision.

(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

Pacheco, 23-0 (18) beat “So Cold” Nelson, 20-1 (15) by a 12-round unanimous decision.

In the first three rounds, the fight was closer and louder. Pacheco had a slight advantage using an impact jab on the aggressive Nelson. Nelson was cut on the left eyebrow in the final minute of the fourth round by a right jab from Pacheco.

In the fifth round, Pacheco landed several lead rights to the chin. Nelson has stopped being the aggressor since the cut. In the final minute of the sixth round, Pacheco landed well against Nelson.

Nelson continues to push forward in the seventh round, looking for the big shot against the taller Pacheco. In the eighth round, Pacheco landed numerous rights as blood continued down the side of Nelson’s face.

In the ninth round, Pacheco landed good hooks to Nelson’s chin. In the tenth round, Pacheco walked Nelson. Referee Allan Huggins walked Nelson to his corner, asking the ring doctor to check on the cut.

Nelson had a good round in the eleventh round trying to overcome Pacheco’s lead. Nelson showed determination in the twelfth and final round, trying to land the big punch.

The scores were 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111.

Andy Cruz, 5-0 (2), defeated Omar ‘Super’ Salcido, 20-2 (14) by a ten-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBA continental title.

Cruz used effective striking in the first two rounds, preventing the power puncher Salcido from landing his punches. In the third round, Cruz, with faster hands, gets to Salcido before he can go down.

Cruz rocked Salcido with a right to the chin in the fourth round of the bell. In one round, Salcido was doing better. Salcido showed a bruise under his right eye in the fifth round of Cruz’s power shots. Cruz continued to use an effective Jab in the sixth round, taking another round from Salcido.

In the seventh round, both had their moments, while Cruz had the upper hand with Cruz switching to southpaw and back. In the eighth round, Cruz hit Salcido several times.

In the final minute of the ninth round, Cruz rocked Salcido. In the tenth and final round, Cruz had Salcido hurt and holding on to the bell. Cruz is now training one of the best coaches in the world, Philadelphia’s Bozy Ennis. His improvement is obvious.

Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.

The referee was Raul Caiz, Jr.

Super lightweight Ernesto ‘Tito’ Mercado, 17-0 (16) Impressed, stopping former IBF heavyweight champion and WBO lightweight champion ‘The Sniper’ Jose Pedraza, 29-6-1 (14) in 2:08 of the fourth round of scheduled 10 rounds.

In the first two rounds, former champion Pedraza moved a lot, but landed few punches as Mercado easily won both rounds. Mercado moved well and countered in the third round, with Pedraza on the receiving end of his punches.

In the fourth round, Mercado landed a left followed by a right to the back of the head, leaving Pedraza and referee Robert Hoyle counting him out. Mercado’s uncle won the previous fight.

Super lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava looked lucky to draw with Israel ‘Bad Ways’ Mercado, 11-1-2 (7), over eight thrilling rounds.

In the first round, Mercado rocked RuBalcava, who was looking to end it early, throwing bombs. Rubalcava was later ruled out for what appeared to be a knock by referee Allan Huggins. He later scored a hit on Mercado. Mercado looked good early, but Rubalcava was injured. In the second round, the Slugfest continued, with the two throwing a takedown. Mercado’s right eye began to close in a round.

In the third round, the “war” continued with both punches. Rubalcava suffered a nosebleed. In the fourth round, Mercado had a good round in this lens. Mercado appeared to land punches to the body and chin in the fifth round. Rubalcava comes back, but it’s not enough to win the round.

Mercado had another good round in round six, being a little quicker with his hands. Both prospects have a lot on the line in an excellent fan fight.

Mercado lost a point to a low blow from referee Allan Huggins in the seventh round. In the eighth and final round, the outstanding fight continued. Mercado had a good round.

Scores 76-74 Mercado, 75-75 and 75-75,

Lightweight ‘Dennis the Menace’ Harley Mederos, 8-0 (7), #134 ½, of Brooklyn, NY, impressed by stopping Arturo d’Isla, 5-3-1 (4) at 1:27 of the third round of a scheduled six rounds.

In the first round, Mederos landed a left hook to De Isla’s chin, looking for an early stoppage. In the second round, however, bleeding from the nose, Mederos continued to outplay Isla.

At the midway point of the third round, a hard right hand followed by a Mederos left hook to De Isla’s chin dropped referee Raul Caiz, Jr.

2024 Olympian Southpaw Super Welterweight Nishant Dev, 1-0 (1), impressed by stopping Southpaw Alton Wiggins, 1-1-1) at 2:48 of the first round of a scheduled six-rounder.

Halfway through the first round, Dev dropped Wiggins with a right to the chin for an 8 count from referee Robert Hoyle. Wiggins got to his feet, fighting back until he was dropped again by a vicious combination from Dev, prompting referee Hoyle to immediately wave him off. From India, Dev is the first person from his country to be at this level, according to promoter Hearn.

SUPER PELLA SUDPAW ZAQUIN ‘ZAYBOP’ MOSES, 2-0 (1), stopped Mario Garcia, 0-1) at the end of the first round of a scheduled four-rounder.

In the first round, it was all Southpaw. Moises had Garcia on the receiving end throughout the round. Between rounds, Garcia’s corner refused to let him out due to an injured right elbow. The referee was Robert Hoyle.

The ring announcer was David Diamante.