Someine's 0 has to go - Diego Pacheco and Steve Nelson meet this Saturday

Steve Nelson is undefeated, and he plans on keeping it that way. Despite being a considerable underdog going into his next fight, a title shot is likely on the table for the winner.

Nelson knows this is a tremendous opportunity for him.

With a combined 42-0 with 34 KOs, it’s clear these guys don’t know how to lose, as of yet. But that will change later this month in the classic “someone’s ‘0’ has to go” scenario. 

California-born, Washington-residing undefeated super middleweight Diego Pacheco will defend his WBO (International) Super-Middleweight title against Nebraska’s Steve Nelson at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday, January 25.

Pacheco, 14 years younger than Nelson, will be in the ring for the 3rd time in 8 months.

When Nelson steps into the ring, it’ll be his first fight of the year, his first in 5 months and only his 4th fight in a little over 2 years.

Numbers-wise, all arrows point to Pacheco as the clear favorite; younger and more active. If the narrative plays out as it should, Nelson will be a good, undefeated name to add to Pacheco’s win column.

Just don’t try telling Nelson that. He has no plans on coming in as the B-side to play any role for anyone. 

Nelson is a stablemate, and lifelong friend, of fellow Omaha resident Terence Crawford. Many consider Crawford to be among the very best P4P fighters in the sport, so it is clear Nelson has trained around the best in the game.

While activity hasn’t been at the forefront of Nelson’s career over the last few years, when he does step into the ring, he wins.

The former armed services veteran is also a big part of the operations of Crawford’s (and manager/trainer Brian MacIntyre) B and B Boxing Academy in his native Omaha. But he has always kept going in his pro career, has yet to lose, and knows at his age this is his big (final?) shot. 

Nelson turned pro in 2016 and banged off 12 wins (11 KOs) in his first 2 years as a pro. Over the last 5 years, he has fought only 8 times but has looked impressive in stopping rugged gate-keeper Derrick Findley, and undefeated fighters Cem Killic (14-0,) and Marcos Rodriguez (20-0). 

Nelson (20-0 16 KO’s) has been looking for a big fight and now gets the chance to upset Pacheco’s applecart and put himself in a great position for a big fight.

However, Pacheco (22-0 18 KO’s), ranked #1 by the WBO, is in the on-deck circle for a title shot and doesn’t plan on letting Nelson upset those plans.

Steve Nelson is kicking off 2025 with the biggest name, the biggest test, and the biggest opportunity of his career.

Despite Pacheco being a huge favorite going into the bout, if there is ever a sport that is the theatre of the unexpected, it is boxing.  

Nelson knows many people are looking past him. But, in recent interviews, he sounded like a guy who plans on surprising everyone.

“This is my whole life. I’ve always been slept on, always had to prove myself, move myself from the back end”, said Nelson. “This is nothing new to me, this is my chance to show the world and put the boxing world on notice”.

Despite being 36, he feels he is misunderstood and is much younger in boxing years.

“I didn’t walk into a boxing gym until I was 21 years old. I decided I wanted to box and then I became hyper- focused on my mission in boxing, like I do everything in life”.  

And, despite being young in boxing years, he feels he has everything he needs for this fight.

“I’ve got everything, I’ve got so many tools. If the job calls for something, I’ll bring it. For this fight I look at this fight like he’s the greatest fighter there ever was. I’m overestimating everything with this guy. I’m hyper-focused”, he said. “Nothing he brings will be surprising to me”.

Nelson has longed for a big stage and on January 25, he’ll have it.

“This is the type of fight I been wanting so I can show the world who I am,” said Nelson.

“Time to wake the sleepers up. I gotta show the world that I’m nothing to play with”.

Prediction?

“I’m a religious man. I’ll leave it in God’s hands. But, I’ll tell you, I’m going to go in there and do my thing”.