Results and Recaps from LA where Pacheco KOed Sulecki with a Body Punch

South Central L.A.’s Diego Pacheco knocked out Poland’s Maciej Sulecki with a body shot that not only retained his super middleweight titles but places him in the hunt for the world title on Saturday

“I felt great,” said Pacheco who is ranked #1 at 168 pounds by the WBO. “Sulecki is a hell of a fighter.”

Will it lead to a match with the face of boxing?

Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) became the first to ever knock out the granite-chinned Sulecki (32-3, 12 KOs) whose only losses were to world champions. The hometown crowd at Dignity Health Sports Center saw their hero accomplish the feat and retain his regional titles.

It was a test made to establish Pacheco’s world title readiness against undisputed super middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. He passed impressively.

Sulecki also was looking to prove his place in the super middleweight divisions after campaigning for years in the middleweight ranks. His cleverness and solid chin placed him seemingly on even terms in the first few rounds.

Counter strikes by the Polish fighter connected enough to let Pacheco know he could be hit.

Pacheco always seemed focused and ready for the wily veteran’s bag of tricks. Though the local fighter connected often with head shots early, none seemed to hurt the Polish fighter whose only losses were to Demetrius Andrade and Daniel Jacobs.

Most of the fighting was done at a distance with Pacheco’s blows coming from sharp blows, but rarely from combinations. Every time the taller fighter opened-up with more than a single blow, Sulecki would counter with a left hook. Pacheco never seemed fazed.

After five rounds of headhunting, suddenly Pacheco countered with a sharp left hook to the body. Down went Sulecki who folded into a fetal position and was counted out by referee Ray Corona at 54 seconds into the sixth round.

“It was hard to land the body shot,” Pacheco said. “I didn’t land that hard.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn whose company Matchroom Boxing guides Pacheco, said that if the opening to face Canelo Alvarez is available, they will accept the fight. Otherwise, there are other matches to consider such as Mexico’s other super middleweight Jaime Munguia.

“It was a coming of age performance,” said Hearn of Pacheco.

Other Bouts

Super featherweight Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez (27-1, 27 KOs) knocked out former contender Miguel Marriaga (31-8, 26 KOs) at the end of the sixth round in a super featherweight fight scheduled for 10 rounds.

Nunez floored Marriaga in the fourth round with an overhand right and in the sixth round by a body shot. At the end of the round Marriaga’s corner called the fight off.

Super Bantams

Arturo Cardenas (15-0-1, 8 KOs) won by split decision over Jesus Arechiga (21-2, 15 KOs) in a closely fought super bantamweight fight that went 10 rounds. Both fighters showed off slick punching and a penchant for battle.

Cruiserweights

A cruiserweight battle between a pair of hard-hitters saw Cheavon Clarke (10-0, 7 KOs) prove he could take a punch as well as give a punch while facing Nigeria’s Efetobor Apochi (12-3, 12 KOs). In fact, both proved they could take a punch but Clarke walked away with the victory by majority decision in a very entertaining fight.

Women’s Title Fight

In a heated and quick-paced super-flyweight battle Ginny Fuchs defeated Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz by split decision.

It was a firefight.

Back and forth the two American fighters exchanged blows and tactics with Fuchs slightly more accurate with her straighter punches. Ruiz landed with the left hooks but not enough to offset the straighter blows connected by the Olympian.

Both showed their grit and skills.

After 10 high-level, competitive rounds, one judge scored it 97-93 for Ruiz, but two others saw it 100-90 and 97-93 for Fuchs, who becomes the new interim WBC super flyweight titlist.

“I thought I got the cleaner shots,” said Fuchs who showed a badly damaged right thumb after the fight. “She was definitely the toughest foe I ever fought.”

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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