The WBO’s No. 2 ranked super middleweight was initially ordered to take on Hamzah Sheeraz, the sanctioning body’s No. 3 contender, for the vacant crown. After talks failed to produce results, a purse bid was ordered for January 30.

However, Pacheco, ranked No. 5 by The Ring, has officially pulled out. An exact reasoning hasn’t been made clear but for now, the 24-year-old will go in another direction.

Sheeraz’s next opportunity will have to wait. The WBO is currently mulling its options. Jacob Banks, presently ranked No. 4, is scheduled to fight former IBF champion, William Scull on Saturday night. While he might be the likely choice, that decision depends on the outcome of his upcoming the fight.

The WBO also told The Ring that Alem Begic could also receive the opportunity. While he hasn't beaten against anyone of note, the 38-year-old has wins over undefeated opponents Mahdi Safdari and David Kerkmann in his last two contests.

In the case of Sheeraz, he’s coming off arguably the biggest win of his career. The Ring’s No. 8 168-pounder scored a concussive fifth-round KO over Edgar Berlanga on July 12, 2025, at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, on The Ring III.

Although he desperately wants a title shot, he was offered one against Christian Mbilli for the vacant WBC belt. Once Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) declined, the sanctioning body elevated Mbilli from interim to full champion.

Canelo Alvarez, the former undisputed super middleweight champion, is ranked No. 1 in the WBO and by The Ring. The Mexican star and future Hall of Famer is currently recovering from elbow surgery following his defeat to Terence Crawford in September of 2025.