The second tier of the super middleweight division is wide open, and Diego Pacheco plans to take another step toward solidifying his seat at the table as a can’t-miss challenger for undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez.

But first, Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) must get past the rough and rugged Trevor McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs) on Saturday in Frisco, Texas.

The matchup will be the chief support attraction as Matchroom Boxing return stateside (7pm ET, Midnight BST) on DAZN, headlined by a junior bantamweight title unification bout between Ring and WBC champion Jesse Rodriguez and WBO titleholder Phumelela Cafu.

"I've been working my ass off," Pacheco told The Ring in an interview. "I am very confident in my abilities and hard work, and I am excited to beat McCumby and get closer to my dreams.

"McCumby is a great fighter and a great opponent. Even though he lost in his last fight against Caleb Plant, I saw great things from him. That's why I wanted to face him. I think the fans are going to enjoy the war. And I'll take whatever comes next after that. Those big fights should be next. Eddie Hearn has a good plan for me, and I am excited for that."

Pacheco is part of a pack of top contenders in the 168-pound division who have been playing musical chairs in recent weeks.

Edgar Berlanga and Plant both lost their recent fights, Jaime Munguia got popped for PEDs after avenging his Bruno Surace defeat on May 3 while the likes of Hamzah Sheeraz, Armando Resendiz, Jermall Charlo, and Bektemir Melikuziev are all coming off strong wins.

That's not mentioning The Ring's No. 1-rated divisional contender Christian Mbilli.

Pacheco, ranked No. 2 by The Ring, and Mbilli have been dancing around each other over the last year, as Pacheco withdrew from an ordered Mbilli fight for the WBC interim title in April to instead face McCumby. Mbilli needed less than a full round to knock out Maciej Sulecki on June 27 for the interim championship, while Pacheco needed six rounds to break down the Pole before producing his own stoppage win on August 31.

Mbilli appears to be headed for a showcase opportunity on the Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford card on September 13 in Las Vegas on Netflix, perhaps against Lester Martinez.

Pacheco can set himself up nicely for a notable name, if able to get beyond McCumby in better fashion than he managed with a 12-round unanimous decision win over then-unbeaten contender Steven Nelson in January.

"I want the Mbilli fight," Pacheco said. "Hopefully, that fight can be made. I want to make all of the big fights happen, that's why I am in the sport. I am ready to go ... I'm a complete fighter, I have all of the attributes and it shows in my fights. I'm focused and excited on where my career is headed."