Matchroom has announced the next dates in the careers of world title hopefuls Diego Pacheco, Rocky Hernandez and Dalton Smith.
Super middleweight contender Pacheco will face former title challenger Maciej Sulecki at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on Aug. 31, while Hernandez meets Thomas Mattice in Hermosillo on Sept. 13.
In the U.K., promising junior welterweight Smith facing Jon Fernandez for the vacant European title at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on Sept. 28.
Twenty-three-year-old Pacheco (21-0, 17 KOs) will return to his hometown after a 10-round decision win over Shawn McCalman in Las Vegas in April. Sulecki (32-2, 12 KOs) has been unbeaten in four fights since challenging Demetrius Andrade for the WBO middleweight crown.
“I’m excited to be headlining at home again,” said Pacheco. “I’m looking forward to an amazing night. Sulecki is always in good fights, and he’s shared the ring with some great fighters and caused them problems, but I feel great about the way my career is heading and I’m looking forward to taking another big step towards a world title shot.”
Sulecki countered; “After a few surgeries, I’m back at where I should be. On Aug. 31, I will take young Pacheco into deep waters. This is a fight we had looked at for a while now and with my new trainers, Sosa Crew, we are going to leave Los Angeles victorious.”
After announcing the signing of Hernandez in the last 24 hours, the 35-2 (32 KOs) Mexican will face Mattice following a seventh-round stoppage win in another war against Daniel Lugo in Aguascalientes in May.
Mattice (22-3-1 17 KOs) will be confident of adding a third defeat to Rocky’s CV though, coming into the bout on a great run of wins, highlighted by him taking two unbeaten records back to back with wins over Christian Tapia and Ramiro Cesena.
“Mattice is a great fighter and he’s been overlooked,” said Hernandez. “I want to prove to the world that I’m more than ready for him, and anyone else I need to fight to become a world champion.”
“I’m excited and ready to fight come Sept. 13,” said Mattice. “This fight gives me the chance to make myself a bigger player in the junior-lightweight division and establish my presence in the division. It’s gone be every bit of exciting as all my fights are. I’m ready to challenge myself with the top guys and it start with this fight in Hermosillo.”
In Sheffield, Smith will fight for the title recently vacated by Adam Azim.
The 16-0 (12 KOs), prospect can add another belt to his collection in his fourth headline fight at home. Last time out, the 27-year-old stopped former world title challenger Jose Zepeda with a body shot.
Spain’s Fernandez (26-2 22 KOs) is unbeaten in his last three fights since teaming up with star trainer Ismael Salas.
“The English, British and Commonwealth are all on my mantelpiece, so this fight is about completing the domestic collection before moving on to world titles,” said Smith. “Azim chose to vacate the European title rather than face me, but Jon Fernandez is game to fight anyone. He hits very hard and put on a really strong performance against Rivera who is a class operator.
“I am very happy that the fight has finally been announced,” said Fernandez. “It’s definitely a great opportunity for my career that I plan to take advantage of. I will prepare for this fight in Las Vegas like the last three fights with Ismael Salas. We know it will be a tough fight, a war, so we will prepare for it. I hope to make all the fans enjoy the fight.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes that Hernandez, Pacheco and Smith each will win a world title.
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