Diego Pacheco vs Shawn McCalman Preview April 6th, 2024
Unbeaten Diego Pacheco of Los Angeles, California takes on undefeated Shawn McCalman of Denver, Colorado this Saturday, April 6th. The 12-round super middleweight bout from Las Vegas, Nevada can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Pacheco last fought in November when he stopped Marcelo Coceres in the ninth round to retain the WBO International and WBC USA Super Middleweight Titles. Those belts will also be on the line this weekend. McCalman last saw action in December when he scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Cristian Olivas.
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Pacheco vs McCalman Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Shawn McCalman +900
- Diego Pacheco -1800
My Pick
Pacheco is just 23 years old and already owns a perfect record of 20-0 with 17 Ko’s and has boxed 76 rounds since making his pro debut in 2019. He enjoyed a fine amateur career as he made it to the quarterfinals of the 2017 USA Youth National Championships and 2018 World Youth Championships, won the 2018 USA Youth Open and reached the final of the 2018 USA Western Regional Final and the semifinals of the 2017 USA Jr Olympics. At 6-feet-4-inches tall he’s got great height for a super middleweight and also owns a 79-inch reach.
Pacheco possesses an abundance of power in his punches with a current knockout ratio of 85 per cent and has won his last nine fights by stoppage. His biggest pro wins to date have come over Coceres, Manuel Gallegos, Jack Cullen, Oscar Riojas, Juan Antonio Mendez, Rodolfo Gomez Jr, Lucas de Abreu, Raul Ortega and Enrique Collazo. Just one of his 20 opponents entered the ring with a losing record. Pacheco won the vacant WBC USA Super Middleweight Belt in September, 2022 when he stopped Enrique Collazo in the fifth round and captured the vacant WBO International Belt with his fourth-round TKO over Cullen.
The 30-year-old McCalman, who has also dabbled in mixed martial arts, makes the ring walk with a perfect record of 15-0 with 7 Ko’s and has boxed 65 rounds since making his pro debut in 2018 following his amateur career. He’s not known as a power puncher as his current knockout ratio comes in at 46.7 per cent and he’s gone the distance in four of his last five fights. He measures 6-feet-tall with an unlisted reach so gives up four inches in height to Pacheco.
McCalman won the vacant American Boxing Federation American West Super Middleweight Title in July 2021 when he beat Vaughn Alexander via a six-round unanimous decision. He also has wins over Jaime Barboza, Kasimu Yakubu, Marquis Moore and Bo Gibbs Jr. Seven of his 15 opponents have had winning records when they fought so McCalman will be taking a step up in class this weekend.
Prediction…
Pacheco has the size of a heavyweight and a ton of power in his fists which makes him a great prospect as a super middleweight for as long as he can make the weight. McCalman is undefeated so can’t be taken lightly but he hasn’t faced any top-level opponents as of yet. Still, he’ll be a tough opponent, but with Pacheco’s height and power advantage he should be able to nail McCalman when he’s within range. McCalman has a good chin but Pacheco should be able to eventually stop him before the 12 rounds are up.
Pacheco’s size and power are the difference here.
Play Pacheco -1800 @ BetOnline.ag
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Diego Pacheco betting • Shawn McCalman betting