Diego Pacheco vs Immanuwel Aleem
Official Weigh-In!
(July 17th) Diego Pacheco, Immanuwel Aleem plus the whole undercard hit the scales ahead of tomorrows highly anticipated Matchroom card.
Official Weights
LIVE PRELIMS ON MATCHROOM’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FROM 2.30PM (all times local)
6 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
FEDERICO PACHECO JR. (231.2lbs) vs. NICK JONES (206.8lbs)
Los Angeles, California Okmulgee, Oklahoma
6 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
FRANK ESPINOSA (159.8lbs) vs. LUIS CARABALLO (161lbs)
Sacramento, California Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
6 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
SAMUEL CONTRERAS (136.2lbs) vs. JORGE ALBERTO AYALA (135.8lbs)
Los Angeles, California Queretaro, Mexico
6 x 3 mins Heavyweight contest
LEO ATANG (234.2lbs) vs. GLEN WILLIAMS (270.4lbs)
Yorkshire, England Houston, Texas
LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN FROM 5PM
10 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
SAUL SANCHEZ (118lbs) vs. BRUNO RIOS (117.8lbs)
North Hollywood, California Los Angeles, California
10 x 3 mins Featherweight contest
ALBERT GONZALEZ (125lbs) vs. AARON ALAMEDA (125.4lbs)
Moreno Valley, California Sonora, Mexico
10 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
ANDY CRUZ (134.6lbs) vs. ABRAHAM MONTOYA (134.4lbs)
Mantanzas, Cuba Mexicali, Mexico
12 x 3 mins WBC Silver and WBO International Super-Middleweight titles
DIEGO PACHECO (167.8lbs) vs. IMMANUWEL ALEEM (167lbs)
Los Angeles, California East Meadow, New York
Pacheco (25-0 18 KOs) holds lofty positions in all the governing bodies - #3 WBO, #4 WBC and IBF, #7 WBA –
and will be out to impress on a night that represents a new chapter in his blossoming career. The LA star penned a new deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom over the weekend, and July 18 will be his
first fight with new trainer Buddy McGirt and the 25 year old fights at the esteemed California coliseum known as the War Grounds for the second time, having previously KO’d Maciej Sulecki there in
2024.
Aleem (22-4-3 14 KOs) has his own title aspirations and at a fiery first face-off in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday before Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
became a three-weight World ruler, the 32 year old told Pacheco in no uncertain terms that he was the man to hand him his first defeat. ‘The Chosen One’ will be looking to crash into the top-end of
the rankings with the biggest win of his career and bounce back from defeat in his last outing in March, a distance reversal against Lester Martinez for the interim WBC World title.
“I’m very happy to be extending my deal with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn, who have believed in me since I was 17,” said Pacheco. “This second chapter of my career is about legacy and becoming a
World champion, and it all starts July 18.”
“I have earned my place in this sport, and I intend to keep moving forward,” said Aleem. “There is no doubt in my mind. There is no hesitation in my preparation. There is no uncertainty in my
purpose. I am prepared. I am focused. I am ready. And when the moment arrives, I'll do what I've trained my entire life to do, perform at my highest level and leave no questions behind – my hand will
be raised on July 18.”
A stacked undercard
is led by a massive fight in the Lightweight division
as Andy
Cruz and Albert
Bell clash in a final eliminator for the IBF World
title. Cruz (6-1 3 KOs) is hunting his second crack at the IBF strap having been edged out in his first World
title showdown by defending champion Raymond Muratalla in Las Vegas in January. The Cuban Olympic hero will put himself back in line for the belt but meets stiff opposition
in Bell (28-0 9 KOs), the unbeaten Ohioan who will view this as his coming out party if he can hand
back-to-back defeats to Cruz.
“I’ve already proven that I belong at the World championship level,” said Cruz. “Now it's time to earn that opportunity once again. Albert Bell is a good fighter, but I'm focused, motivated, and
ready to take the next step. This final eliminator is my chance to get back where I belong—fighting for the IBF World title.”
“I’m really looking forward to this fight and long-awaited opportunity,” said Bell. “Being an avoided fighter for a big portion of my career I’m just ready to show the world who I am, and that’s
one of the best in the boxing business. I’m happy I finally get to show case what I bring to the table against world class opposition on boxing’s biggest network. After July 18 the lightweight
division will officially have a new player in the mix to be “the guy” at 135lbs.”
Albert ‘Chop Chop’ Gonzalez is a hotly-tipped name for the future, and he takes on Aaron Lopez Alameda over ten rounds
at Featherweight. Gonzalez
(17-0 10 KOs) has already landed two wins inside the ten round distance this year in
January and March, and the Robert Garcia trained 24 year old will be hunting a fourth straight stoppage win to put the Featherweight division on notice against former World title challenger Alameda
(30-3 17 KOs).
“First and foremost, I want to thank God, my team, and everyone who supports me,” said Gonzalez. “I also want to thank Top Rank, Matchroom, and DAZN for this opportunity. Fighting at home in
Southern California on a card this big means a lot to me. Aaron Alameda has fought for a World title before, so I know how tough he is. I’ve been putting in all the work, so now it’s my time to
shine. I’m going to put on a great show on July 18.”
British Heavyweight starlet Leo
Atang makes his American debut on the card and will
be looking to continue his destructive start to life in the paid ranks. Atang (7-0 6 KOs) bagged a sixth KO win in seven pro-outings in June, adding Fouad Shaili to a list of five victims that have
failed to reach the second round against him.
"The worldwide tour continues,” said Atang, who will fight over six rounds against an opponent to be named soon. “I’m buzzing to be making my American debut on such a great card. I’m always
grateful for the opportunities I am being given at such a young age, and this will definitely be a great experience. I can’t wait to get another knockout win on July 18. It’s LA in LA. Make sure you
tune in, live on DAZN.”
Atang is joined by another young Matchroom tyro as Frank Espinoza fights for the fifth time in the paid ranks and will be hunting a fifth straight KO win over six rounds, with an opponent
to be announced in due course, and further undercard additions will be confirmed soon.
MAIN EVENT — SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT (12 Rounds)
Diego Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs)
vs.
Immanuwel Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs)
Titles on the Line: WBC Silver Super Middleweight & WBO International Super Middleweight
Pacheco, a consensus top-5 super middleweight contender ranked across three governing bodies, returns to his home state under his newly renewed Matchroom Boxing contract. The 24-year-old Mexican-American fighter chose to turn pro with Eddie Hearn as the number-one rated middleweight in America and Mexico after becoming an eight-time National Champion.
Aleem enters as the WBC's No. 14-ranked contender in an interim title fight sanctioned by the WBC.
CO-MAIN EVENT — LIGHTWEIGHT (12 Rounds)
Andy Cruz (6-1)
vs.
Albert Bell (28-0)
Titles on the Line: IBF World Lightweight Title Final Eliminator
The co-feature showcases Cuban Olympic champion Andy Cruz against undefeated Albert Bell in a crucial final eliminator for the IBF lightweight title.
FEATHERWEIGHT (10 Rounds)
Albert Gonzalez (17-0)
vs.
Aaron Lopez Alameda (30-3)
Two featherweights with winning records meet in a crucial contest, with Gonzalez seeking to maintain his undefeated streak against experienced Alameda.
HEAVYWEIGHT (6 Rounds)
Leo Atang (7-0, 0 KOs)
vs.
TBA
Rising heavyweight prospect Atang continues his development on the Matchroom roster.
MIDDLEWEIGHT (6 Rounds)
Frank Espinoza (4-0, 0 KOs)
vs.
TBA
Undefeated middleweight Espinoza looks to build on his promising start to his professional career.
PRODUCTION & EVENT DETAILS
Promoter: Eddie Hearn — Matchroom Boxing
Matchmakers: Tom Dallas & Kevin Rooney Jr.
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California
Broadcast: Live on DAZN PPV
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Event Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
About Diego Pacheco
Pacheco's announcement marks his first fight under his renewed Matchroom deal, which was set to expire in summer 2026. The fight was officially announced live on Saturday, June 14, 2026, preceding Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez's WBA bantamweight title fight. Pacheco returns to Dignity Health Sports Park, where he previously competed, bringing his uninterrupted winning streak to the Los Angeles market.
Diego Pacheco vs. Immanuwel Aleem
Fight Week Press Conference!
(July 16th) It's time for the final press conference in Los Angeles as Super Middleweight hotshot Diego Pacheco talks Saturday's fight against Immanuwel Aleem as Eddie Hearn hosts the proceedings alongside the undercard including Andy Cruz, Leo Atang, Frank Espinoza and more!
Here's what some involved had to say:
Eddie Hearn
“Welcome everybody to Los Angeles, California, as the big nights keep on rolling on DAZN, you would have recently seen another
huge announcement with the Atanga welcoming of the PBC now too, to the global home of boxing.
“Every major promotional company now here, chances to make fights and continue this incredible schedule on the platform.
“This weekend, we have one of our first ever stars with Matchroom Boxing in the USA, with Diego Pacheco against Immanuwel Aleem in a breathtaking fight at Dignity Health Sports Park, a brilliant night of boxing throughout before we go next week to
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the return of Anthony Joshua.
“Just a reminder as well, here tomorrow at 4pm will be the official weigh-in and the launch press conference for Andy Ruiz Jr. against Damian Knyba on September 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark,
New Jersey as the big-time schedule keeps rolling on for DAZN.”
Diego Pacheco
“First and foremost, I want to thank God, I want to thank my management team, Sheer Sports, my Atanga training team, Buddy McGirt, and Coach Omar, everyone who's been
part of my team.
“This has been one of the best camps I've ever had, and I'm just ready this Saturday. We've done everything necessary to prepare for anything Aleem brings. I'm just looking forward to a great night
of boxing and Atanga having my hand raised.
“I definitely take him seriously, he's a good fighter and I take that nothing from him. But he's never been in there with anyone like me. I'm confident in the work we put in this camp. Ever since I
turned Atanga pro, I've never let my foot off the gas. I've always done what I've had to do. That's why I'm here today. I didn't get this far just to get this far.
“Thank you Matchroom for coming into this new agreement with us and you know we extended our contract and Atanga hopefully this contract will get us into those World title fights.
“I’m not looking past this Saturday. We're looking forward to this fight, but um you know, we have our Atanga eyes set on Atanga on the bigger picture, you know, and that's becoming a World
champion.
“I feel like I'm one of the best fighters in the in the division for sure. Hopefully Matchroom and Sheer Sports can figure out how they can get me this World title fight.”
Immanuwel Aleem
“I'm just prepared for the occasion. There's a body on Saturday; I got to go get it. I’m just prepared. I'm a real boxer. I've been in this sport since I was 12. I know
what is at stake. Besides all the other stuff that comes around this is hands versus hands. And I know what these hands can do. They know these hands can do.
“I know he holds probably three to four times a round. Referees need to really identify that and hopefully he doesn't make this a hugging match, and we can really throw hands. I fight everybody who's
been tall, look at my record. I'm normally the shorter fighter nine times out of 10. It's another day in the boxing ring for me. It's my time for myself.”
Buddy McGirt
“I believe in my heart that the world hasn't seen the best of Diego. There's more to him than meets the eye. He was getting by doing what he was doing, but there's more
to him.
“This camp we just added a little bit. We can't do too much at once; you know what I mean? We just add a little bit more flavor to what he was doing and we've prepared for a tough fight.
“We know what's ahead of us Saturday night. We're not stupid. The key is this to get in there and handle our business.
“For a guy his height, he Atanga could just do so much. The key is just to put everything together Saturday night. We know that when you fight someone that has everything to gain and nothing to lose,
they're dangerous. I just see the look in this camp's eyes. We know we got what we got to do Saturday night. If we do what we supposed to do, everything will be cool.”
Omar Aleem
“We are prepared fearless extremely fearless. We are coming. We want those belts. I said we wanted Pacheco and here we are. We trained for you, we've been ready and he’s
just a blockage for Canelo. That's what we want, so when we get Atanga rid of you, we want Canelo.”
Andy Cruz
“I feel good, I'm ready to be back in the ring. I have learned something with every fight whether I win or lose, I'm anxious to be back and show what Andy Cruz has. My
focus right now is on Saturday and to give a great show against a fighter like Montoya.”
Abraham Montoya
“We are very excited to be here. I saw that last fight between Andy and Muratalla, and I do believe that he won that fight, so being able to face him is a blessing. As
soon as I got that my team immediately accepted we said yes.”
Albert Gonzalez
“I'm very grateful to be here. I thank God, I thank my team, Top Rank and Brad Goodman, everybody that made this possible to for me to be here. I take every fight
serious, like it's a World title fight to get me closer to that World title fight.
“This fight right here for sure is another one of those fights that's going to get me to that level. A fighter like him, a veteran that's been at that World title level, he's been a contender and me
being able to perform and not just win but look great against a type of opponent like this is what's going to get me to that level.
“I feel like this guy has been at World title level already, so they can hopefully stop calling
me a prospect after this fight, and be able to get me those bigger fights, like former World champion or something like that, and get me closer to that World title.
“I believe that that I'm ready for it, I'm hungry, I'm in the gym day in day out. I know what I want and Atanga that's to be a World champion.
“I want to get to those World titles as quick as possible, God's timing is always the best, but I believe that if they give me the Atanga the phone call or the opportunity for my next fight or by
this year, I'm ready for it.”
Aaron Alameda
“I'm very happy and I'm very grateful to be here. I have a lot of experience, so I'm ready to
give it my all on Saturday.”
Saul Sanchez
“He's young, he's hungry and I'll be here. I'm ready to give him another great memory. It’ll be
Atanga a big crowd on Saturday and it’s going to be a great atmosphere.”
Bruno Rios
“We've been getting great sparring with Robert Garcia about for two years now, we're ready. We
train really hard and we're ready for this type of fight.”
Leo Atang
“I'm very grateful to be here and all the opportunities that you've given me so early in my
career.
“I’ve been taking it in like seeing what LA is about. I've not too much but I've enjoyed it so far.
“I feel like I've been a bit of a victim to that hand speed because, you know, they've been
jumping in and waving it off.
“There’s stuff we can take away and learn from; slow it down, be more patient and just let it come naturally.
“I've got all the support around me, you and you and everyone at Matchroom. I've got all my boys coming out as well to come in to support my family coming out to support. I'm excited for the journey
and this is just another step of it.”
Samuel Contreras
“I want to thank Matchroom, DAZN and Top Rank for bringing this event here in LA. I'm ready,
focused and I feel very confident. I've been training myself for this fight and I'm ready to put on the show.
“It's a good thing staying more active, it keeps our mind sharp, keeps us disciplined. I'm thankful for the opportunity and can't wait for this Saturday.”
Frank Espinosa
“I'm ready. I'm about to go out there and show my skills again. I'm going to go in there, do my
thing. Last fight I was very excited, this fight, I'm going to show my skills and break them down.”
Federico Pacheco
“It’s a very big night for the family on Saturday night. First of all, I want to thank God and I
want to thank my managers for this opportunity on the same as my brother.
“It's a Atanga young group of Heavyweights, but I'm the only Mexican on the rise. I take a lot of pride in that and I'm going to make sure I exceed the expectations of a Mexican Heavyweight and I'm
excited for Saturday.”
Unbeaten super middleweight Diego Pacheco is deep in his first fight camp with legendary trainer Buddy McGirt. After working with McGirt, Pacheco heads to a brutal strength and conditioning session before inviting Matchroom into his home.
About DAZN
Welcome to DAZN, the global sports streaming platform that transcends boundaries and redefines the way fans experience their favorite sports. With availability in over 200 territories, DAZN ensures that sports enthusiasts around the world can immerse themselves in the thrill of live and on-demand content, on any device, at the touch of a button.
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About Matchroom Boxing
After the success of snooker in the 1980s, Matchroom Sport moved into boxing with two small hall shows followed by Frank Bruno v Joe Bugner at Tottenham Hotspur’s ground – the biggest boxing event of 1987. That launched the company into the boxing big-time, a position it has maintained ever since.
Through the 1990s Matchroom Sport’s boxing roster featured many of the biggest names in the sport including Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Steve Collins and Naseem Hamed, all in world title fights and it continues to work with some of the biggest names in UK boxing including Audley Harrison, the 2000 Olympic Super-Heavyweight gold medalist.
Over the years, Matchroom Sport has built up long-standing relationships with broadcasters around the world and with the advent of the Prizefighter phenomenon, the company’s boxing division has never been in a stronger position.
From fantastic six round scraps between the sport’s journeymen, up to multi-million-dollar World Championship contests featuring the above fighters, the Pro Box series has it all. Each show is packed with the very best in boxing action in a series that encompasses almost 25 years of Matchroom Sport’s commitment to bringing the highest quality to the global television market.
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