Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where will Diego Pacheco and Immanuwel Aleem land major damage?
Pacheco vs. Aleem on DAZN subscription - TONIGHT
Diego Pacheco will have another opportunity to erode away at his major prospect tag in proving to be a super middleweight title threat when he clashes with veteran Immanuwel Aleem tonight.
It all takes place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, and live on DAZN.
Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs) produced a unanimous decision over Kevin Sadjo in December, but needed to overcome an eighth-round knockdown to remain unbeaten. Having signed a new deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and now being trained by Buddy McGirt, Pacheco will look to show new wrinkles to his fight game in aiming for a more dominating victory tonight.
Meanwhile, Aleem (22-4-3, 14 KOs), who followed a ninth-round TKO of Demond Nicholson last July by falling to Lester Martinez via unanimous decision in March, will attempt to alter Pacheco's plans.
Will Pacheco deliver the performance needed to boost his rankings across all governing bodies even further and put himself in line for a title shot next? Or will a capable Aleem demonstrate that Pacheco is ripe for the upset? With the stakes high, DAZN News unpacks the Keys to Victory for both super middleweights.
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Diego Pacheco’s Keys to Victory
Establish range behind the jab early
Diego Pacheco owns a nine-inch reach advantage against Immanuwel Aleem and can optimize this edge best by asserting a stiff power jab. Establishing this range will empower Pacheco to work behind the stick and pluck away at Aleem, gaining points and banking rounds — all while opening lanes to land heavier artillery.
Use shoulders to push off and free up hands
It’s natural to think Aleem will work to get inside of Pacheco’s jab, considering the aforementioned reach deficit he faces. That said, a tactic Pacheco should use to re-establish range is to push off in the pocket with his shoulders. Burying a shoulder into Aleem's chest and bouncing off the contact will free up Pacheco's hands. He could then resort to the jab once again. The 6-foot-4 Pacheco already utilizes this move effectively and will likely need to against a gritty Aleem as well.
Uncork the uppercut
In tandem with the jab and space he’s able to generate, Pacheco must look to unleash the uppercut. Whether it comes via a left or right, the uppercut to split Aleem’s guard inside could be just the weapon to dismantle the veteran’s punching pressure with an exclamation point. It could also be the punch needed to stall any momentum Aleem is able to muster and possibly even stop him in style.
Immanuwel Aleem’s Keys to Victory
Get inside of Pacheco’s jab
A stab jab to the body, feint and roll inside should all be methods Immanuwel Aleem uses to work his way inside. And it’s good he has options, considering how vital it will be to broker space within Diego Pacheco’s nine-inch reach advantage. An Aleem unable to manufacture position into cramped quarters could spell doom for his upset chances, making this key all the more crucial.
Do not neglect the body
Stabs to the body could very well be a key to get Aleem inside of Pacheco’s reach. However, if successful, Aleem can’t neglect the body from there. He must make a concerted effort to consistently make hard deposits to Pacheco’s body, forcing the Los Angeles product to lower his arms and protect his midsection. That could open up opportunities for Aleem to cleanly land upstairs as well.
Time Pacheco for a counter left hook
Revisit Pacheco vs. Kevin Sadjo from late last year and you’ll see Sadjo had success with a counter left hook in traffic. In fact, he used the very shot to force Pacheco to taste the canvas in the eighth round of their fight. Aleem can target for the same, making it imperative for him to time the sharp counter to gauge whether Pacheco has learned from his mistakes or not.
Who has the edge in Pacheco vs. Aleem?
Analysis: DAZN News’ Mark Lelinwalla
Immanuwel Aleem is a rugged, savvy fighter who I believe could give Diego Pacheco fits at times in the ring tonight. But Pacheco has the talent and growing skills. He also has some newfound urgency under the guidance of trainer Buddy McGirt. I expect Pacheco to show some promising evolution to his fight bag and be more convincing this time around in staying undefeated. Only then can he put himself in some serious contention for a world title at 168 pounds. Expect a stoppage win for the Los Angeles product.
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