Pacheco Outpoints Nelson, Cruz dominates Salcido
WBA Continental Americas Super Middle Champion Diego Pacheco defeated Steven by 12 rounds on Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada. In the co-event, IBF International Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz easily defeated Omar Salcido by 10 round unanimous decision.
Pacheco, 23-0 (18) defeated “Pretty Cool” Nelson, 20-1 (15) by 12-round unanimous decision.
In the first three rounds, the fight was closer and longer. Pacheco had a slight edge using an effective JAB on the aggressive Nelson. Nelson was cut on the left eyebrow in the final minute of round four along with a chopping right 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 last minute of the sixth round, Chico 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 several rights with blood still running down the side of Nelson’s face.
In the ninth round, Pacheco landed a good left hook to Nelson’s chin. In the tenth round, Pacheco beats Nelson. Referee Alan Huggins Nelson walked to his corner, and asked the ring doctor to check the cut.
Nelson had a good run in the 11th round trying to overcome Chico’s lead. Nelson showed determination in the twelfth and final round, trying to land a big punch to take the round.
The scores were 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111.
Andy Cruz, 5-0(2), defeated Omar “Super” Salcedo, 20-2(14) by unanimous 10 round decision for the vacant WBA continental title.
Cruz used an efficient jab in the first two rounds, preventing the power-holding Salcedo from landing any big punches. In the third round, Cruz, with faster hands, reaches Salcedo before he can get off.
Cruz rocked Salcedo with a right to the chin in the fourth round at the bell. On tour, Salcido was doing better. Salcedo showed a bruise under his right eye in the fifth round of power shots at Cruz. Cruz continued to use an effective jab in the sixth round, with another round from Salcido.
In the seventh round, they both had their moments as Cruz had the edge with Cruz turning into a southpaw and back. In the eighth round, Cruz shook Sacdo steel several times.
In the last minute of the ninth round, Cruz rocked Salcedo. In the tenth and final round, Cruz had Salcedo hurt and caught at the bell. Cruz is now coached by one of the best coaches in the world, Philadelphia outfit Ennis. His improvement is clear.
Scores 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.
The referee was Raul Caiz Jr.
Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, 17-0 (16), impressed, stopping the former IBF super bantamweight champion and WBO lightweight champion in the fourth round of “A Sniper” Jose Pedraza, 29-6-1 (14) in 2:08 From the fourth round of A scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first two rounds, former champion Pedraza moved a lot but landed some punches, as Mercado easily won both rounds. Mercado moved well and countered in the third round, with Pederza on the receiving end of the punches.
In the fourth round, Mercado landed a left followed by a right to the back of the head, dropping Pederza and referee Robert Howell. Murdo’s uncle won the previous battle.
Lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava, 9-0-1 (3), looked lucky to get a draw with Israel’s “Bad Ways” Mercado, 11-1-2 (7), over eight exciting rounds.
In the first round, Mercado rocked Rubalcava, who was looking to end her early, throwing bombs. Later, Rubalcava, who looked like a knockout, was ruled by referee Alan Huggins. He later scored a knockdown on Mercado. Mercado looked good early but was hurt by Rubalcava. In the second round, the slugfest continued, with a knockdown thrown. Mercado’s right eye began to close on a close call.
In the third round, the “war” continued with big punches being thrown. Rubalcava suffered from blood from the nose. In the fourth round, Mercado had a good round in this slugfest. Mercado appeared to land solid punches to the body and chin in the fifth round. Rubalcava comes back, but not enough to win the round.
Mercado had another good round in the sixth, being a little faster with his hands. Both prospects have a lot on the line in an excellent miracle fight.
Mercado lost a point to a low blow from referee Alan Higgins in the seventh round. In the eighth and final round, the outstanding battle continued. Mercado had a good round.
Grades 76-74 Mercado, 75-75 and 75-75,
Lightweight “Dennis the Menace” Harley Mederos, 8-0(7), #134 ½, of Brooklyn, New York, impressed in stopping Arturo de Isla, 5-3-1(4) at 1:27 of the third round of A Six rounds are scheduled.
In the first round, Mederos landed a left hook to De Isla’s chin, looking for an early stoppage. In the second round, despite the nosebleed, Mederos continued to beat De Isla’s game.
In the third rounds midway through, there was a left hook from Mederos to the chin of De Isla which caused referee Raul Caiz, Jr. to wisely call.
2024 Olympian Southpaw Super Welterweight Nishant Dev, 1-0(1), impressed in stopping southpaw Alton Wiggins, 1-1-1) at 2:48 of the first of the scheduled six rounds.
In the first round midway through, he dropped Dave Wiggins with a right to the chin for an 8 count from referee Robert Howell. Wiggins got up, fought back until he was taken down again by a vicious combination from Dave, causing referee Hoyle to immediately receive a takedown. Hailing from India, Dave is the first person from his country at this level, per Hearn Promoter.
Mario Garcia, South Boys, stopped South Paw Zaken “Zebub”, 2-0 (1), Mario Garcia, 0-1) at the end of the first of four scheduled rounds.
In the first round, it was all Southpaw. Moses Garcia was 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 episode’s announcer was David Diamanti.
