Pacheco Outpoints Nelson, Cruz dominates in Salcido

Diego Pacheco defeated undefeated AMBA Continental Americas champion Steven Nelson over 12 rounds on Saturday night at the Las Vegas Cosmopolitan, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada. In the main event, IBF International Lightweight Champion Andy Cruz easily defeated Omar ‘Super’ Salcido by a 10-round unanimous decision.

(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

Pacheco, 23-0 (18) defeated ‘So Cold’ Nelson, 20-1 (15) by a 12-round unanimous decision.

In the first three rounds, the fight went higher and higher. Pacheco had a slight advantage using an effective jab over the aggressive Nelson. Nelson was cut on the left eyebrow in the final minute of the fourth round with a right cut from Pacheco.

In the fifth round, Pacheco earned 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 advance in the seventh round, looking for the big shot against the taller Pacheco. In the eighth round, Pacheco earned numerous rights as blood continued down the side of Nelson’s face.

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

Nelson had a good round in the eleventh round trying to overtake Pacheco’s lead. Nelson showed determination in the twelfth and final round, trying to land the big shot that took the round.

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

Andy Cruz, 5-0 (2), defeated Omar ‘Super’ Salcido, 20-2 (14) by a 10-round unanimous decision for the vacant WBA Continental title.

Cruz used an effective JAB in the first two rounds, preventing the power-hitting salcido from landing any big shots. In the third round, Cruz, with faster hands, gets to Salcido before he can get down.

Cruz rocked Salcido with a right hand to the chin in the fourth round at the bell. In one round, Salcido was 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, they both had their moments when Cruz had the advantage with Cruz switching to Southpaw and back. In the eighth round, Cruz hit the hard punch several times.

In the final minute of the ninth round, Cruz rocked Salcido. In the tenth and final round, Cruz made Salcido hurt and hold on to the bell. Cruz is now being trained by one of the best trainers in the world, Philadelphia’s Bozy Ennis. His improvement is evident.

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 Super Featherweight Champion and Lightweight Champion ‘The Sniper’ Jose Pedraza, 29-6-1 (14) at 2 :08 of the fourth round of A Scheduled 10 rounds.

In the first two rounds, former champion Pedraza moved a lot, but threw few punches, as Mercado easily won both rounds. Mercado moved well and responded 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 his head, dropping Pedraza and causing referee Robert Hoyle to count him out. Mercado’s uncle won the previous fight.

Super lightweight Leonardo Rubalcava, 9-0-1 (3), seemed fortunate to earn a draw with Israel ‘Bad Ways’ Mercado, 11-1-2 (7), in eight exciting rounds.

In the first round, Mercado shook Rubalcava, who was looking to end him early, by throwing bombs. Rubalcava later, what looked like a knockdown, was ruled by referee Allan Huggins. He later scored a drop on Mercado. Mercado looked good early, but Rubalcava hurt him. In the second round, the Slugfest continued, with both shooting for a knockout. Mercado’s right eye began to close in a tight round.

In the third round, the ‘war’ continued with both big throws. Rubalcava suffered a bloody nose. In the fourth round, Mercado had a good round in this fight. Mercado seemed to land hard shots 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 round six, being a little faster with his hands. Both prospects have a lot at stake in an excellent fan fight.

Mercado lost a point for a low blow by 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 Market, 75-75 and 75-75,

Ligero ‘Dennis the Menace’ Harley Mederos, 8-0 (7), #134 ½, of Brooklyn, NY, impressed in stopping Arturo de Isla, 5-3-1 (4) at 1:27 of the third round From A Scheduled six rounds.

In the first round, Mederos landed a left hook to De Isla’s chin, looking for an early stoppage. However, in the second round, with a bloody nose, Mederos continued to dominate an Island Game.

At the halfway point of the third round, a hard right hand followed by a left hook from Mederos to De Isla’s chin, leaving him, causing referee Raul Caiz, Jr. to wisely call an immediate stop.

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

In the first half round, Dev dropped Wiggins with a right hand to the chin for a holding of 8 from referee Robert Hoyle. Wiggins got up, fighting until he was taken out again by a vicious combination from Dev, causing referee Hoyle to immediately wave him off. Hailing from India, Dev is the first person from his country to be at this level, according to promoter Hearn.

Super Featherweight Southpaw Zaquin ‘Zaybop’ Moses, 2-0 (1), stopped Mario Garcia, 0-1) late in the first round of four scheduled rounds.

In the first round, it was all left-handed. Moisés had García on the receiving end throughout the round. Between rounds, Garcia’s corner refused to allow him out due to an injured right elbow. The referee was Robert Hoyle.

The ring announcer was David Diamante.