Tim Bradley believes Diego Pacheco has outgrown showcase fights and will begin testing himself against the division’s higher contenders after his victory over Immanuwel Aleem. The previous two-division world champion singled out Hamzah Sheeraz, Edgar Berlanga and Lester Martinez as opponents Pacheco should pursue as an alternative of constant to face limited opposition.
“It’s time to grab a hold of them balls, bro. It is best to have been handling Sheeraz. I used to be picking you to beat Sheeraz. Sheeraz is recuperating and higher while your ass is sitting back here fighting against dudes like Aleem,” said Bradley on his YouTube channel. “Why don’t you go ahead and go after Berlanga after this? Higher yet, go ahead and get Lester. Lester fought this dude, and we’re comparing the 2. Lester went the complete distance with him. You bought him up out of there. Why don’t you fight Lester? That’s a hell of a fight.”
Bradley is correct that Pacheco needs an actual test, but Saturday’s performance didn’t persuade me he’s ready for the division’s elite. He boxed well, finished Aleem impressively and showed patience under Buddy McGirt, yet he was still getting hit too often by a fighter who isn’t referred to as a devastating puncher. That’s the priority.
If Aleem was capable of land that ceaselessly, what happens against Osleys Iglesias, Lester Martinez and even middleweights Carlos Adames or Yoenli Hernandez in the event that they moved up? Those fighters carry more power, are physically stronger, and wouldn’t be as forgiving once Pacheco found himself exchanging at close range.
The Kevin Lele Sadjo fight exposed flaws in Pacheco when the motion became physical. He didn’t look comfortable under sustained pressure, and people issues weren’t answered against Aleem since the matchup never forced him into the identical kind of fight.
Pacheco’s post-fight comments focused on Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia. Eddie Hearn has also floated Munguia as a possible next opponent. If Matchroom desires to prove Pacheco belongs with the division’s elite, fights against Iglesias, Lester, Adames or Hernandez would answer way more questions than a fast jump toward a lucrative name.
Hearn has the financial backing to make those fights. If Matchroom bypasses them and heads straight toward Munguia, it’s going to be difficult to disregard the chance that the priority is maximizing Pacheco’s value before a dangerous contender exposes the issues which can be still visible in his game.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Related Boxing News:
Last Updated on 2026/07/19 at 7:26 PM