Super-Middleweight star Diego Pacheco has set up a new life in Seattle – but says LA will always be his fighting home
Diego Pacheco is thrilled to be headlining in Los Angeles once again, as he completes his training camp in his new home of Seattle before heading to California to take on Maciej Sulecki at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Los Angeles on Saturday August 31, live worldwide on DAZN.
Pacheco (21-0 17 KOs) first topped a bill in LA in November where he knocked Marcelo Coceres out in the ninth round at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, successfully defending the USWBC and WBO International Super-Middleweight titles that he puts on the line against former World title challenger Sulecki (32-2 12 KOs).
It will be a fifth outing in Los Angeles for Pacheco, and he’ll step through the ropes at the vaunted ‘War Grounds’ venue for a second time having boxed over four rounds there in his sixth pro fight back in September 2019.
The 23 year old Pacheco has now settled into a new life in Seattle with his young family, having first relocated his training camps there with trainer Jose Benavidez at the start of 2022, but Los Angeles will always be his home, and fighting there is something that Pacheco wants to keep doing as his knocks at the door of World title action get louder and louder.
“It was an amazing feeling to be able to headline at home at just 22 years old at YouTube Theater,” said Pacheco. “That was a great experience, and I came out with a ninth round KO against a good opponent. The fans really enjoyed the night, so did I, and this time we’re doing it again in Carson with the same objective, to put on a great show and get another KO victory.
“From the beginning of my career when I was 18 I got to open up some big shows for some great champions in LA, I boxed at the Staples Center, at The Forum and in Carson, and then headlined at YouTube Theater. That night was amazing, everyone came out to support me so to be doing it again at a higher level is great, I’m looking forward to showcasing my skills again and it is going to be another great turnout.
“It’s amazing to think I was at Dignity Health opening the show as a young prospect and now I’m headlining a show here with young fighters on my undercard. It’s a great feeling having fighters look up to me and be one of the best fighters right now from LA. I love hearing ‘from Los Angeles, California’ when I’m being announced, and I always want to represent the city well.
“I’d just turned 18 the first time I boxed at Dignity Health. I had a lot of family and friends there supporting me and I delivered a first round knockout, the love I got was amazing and every time I fight in LA it’s the same, so I can’t wait for August 31.
“I was just a kid then, I was new to the pro ranks, no headgear, the spotlight, doing interviews, everything. Now I feel like I have more experience, I’m a father now, so there’s a lot of things that come into play that will benefit me in my career. I’m stronger and faster, and just a lot better than I was then. I’m excited to show the fans that as I’m getting older, I’m getting better, I’m getting stronger, and I’m looking forward to delivering once again.
“I love being in Seattle, I think it’s the perfect place to raise a family and also do my training camps and stay locked in and focused. When I come to LA now it’s for business or to see my family, I feel comfortable here in Seattle, I love it and I don’t see myself going anywhere else, but I will always love fighting in Los Angeles.
“Before starting my family in Seattle, I was on my own and I didn’t have any responsibilities, nothing to think about, I just did what I wanted to do. I was young and reckless a little bit, but now I’ve calmed down a lot, I’m more focused, I get my rest, and I feel amazing. I look at life very differently now, I have my family, I have people who depend on me and that’s extra motivation to get where I want to get to,” Pacheco concluded.