Diego Pacheco survives a knockdown against Kevin Lele Sadjo and triumphs after twelve rounds – WBC Silver belt and WBO International title remain with the US star.
Super middleweight challenger Diego Pacheco celebrated a hard-fought points victory over Kevin Lele Sadjo last night at the Stockton Arena in California. At the event presented by Matchroom, the unbeaten American prevailed by unanimous decision on points after twelve intense rounds.
Pacheco (25-0, 18 knockouts) was ahead on the scorecards for most of the fight, but suffered a serious setback in the eighth round. A powerful left hook from Sadjo (26-1, 23 knockouts) sent him to the floor. The Frenchman sensed his chance and resolutely went for the knockout, but Pacheco showed ring intelligence and a fighter’s heart to keep the round open.
Sadjo scored several clear rights in rounds nine and ten, but Pacheco gritted his teeth, picked up the pace and dominated championship rounds eleven and twelve with clean footwork and precise combinations. In the end, the judges scored the duel 116-111, 117-110 and 115-112 in Pacheco’s favor. With the victory, Pacheco secured the WBC Silver super middleweight title and at the same time defended his WBO International belt – another important step towards the world championship.
In the co-main event, former super featherweight world champion Joe Cordina from Wales came out on top against local hero Gabriel Flores Jr. Despite a point deduction in round six due to punches to the back of the head, Cordina won confidently by unanimous decision on points.
Former WBC featherweight world champion Skye Nicolson also impressed on the undercard, defeating Yuliahn Luna Avila on points. With this victory, Nicolson was crowned WBC interim super bantamweight world champion.