Diego Pacheco has gone from admiring Canelo Alvarez to now looking to annihilate him.

Pacheco, 23, was nine years old when Alvarez kickstarted his emergence as a stateside superstar, beating Jose Miguel Cotto on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight in Las Vegas. Alvarez has since become a global icon and the face of boxing while earning over a half billion dollars during a four-division title reign.

Alvarez is currently the super middleweight king, the division of which the upstart Mexican-American Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) is making a name for himself, fight over fight. His next opportunity to further propel his career arrives Saturday against Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) in a Matchroom Boxing main event at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on DAZN.

“I remember watching Canelo when I was a kid,” Pacheco told The Ring. “My dad had a gym in South Central Los Angeles and he would put the fights on and we would watch it there. I never imagined as a kid that I would be in conversations to face him. God works in mysterious ways and he's given me the blessings to be able to go out there and prove myself. There is a big possibility I can get that fight in the future.”

Pacheco is The Ring’s No. 3 ranked super middleweight and is sitting pretty to force the issue of a future fight against Alvarez through the sanctioning bodies. Pacheco is ranked No. 1 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBC, and No. 6 by the IBF.

Alvarez has cleaned out the division and the only remaining fighter that could give him a tough night at the office outside of Pacheco is Christian Mbilli.

“There is no telling what Canelo is going to do or has planned,” said Pacheco. “Canelo is a GOAT and a hell of a fighter and one of the best in this generation but I feel that his time is ticking. I'm the next one up. I feel like I'm the one who beats Canelo when it comes down to getting the fight. Yes, definitely [it will be a changing of the guard].”

Pacheco has no choice but to ply his trade and hope for the call. Promoter Eddie Hearn is looking to bring Pacheco as many bridge fights as possible so that if Alvarez comes calling, Pacheco properly rises to the occasion with top-notch experience. On the flip side, however, Pacheco has seen first-hand how Alvarez has stiff-armed young and dangerous suitors, specifically David Benavidez, who Pacheco trains alongside, in tandem with Benavidez’s father and head coach, Jose Sr.

“I don't think David Benavidez is ever going to get the fight with Canelo,” said Pacheco. “I have a better chance of getting it. I feel that Canelo will consider in the future to give me the opportunity. If he does, I will take full advantage of it and give it my all.

“For my part, I'm here to just keep getting better and sharper. If Canelo gives us the opportunity, it will be a dream to fight for the title against a legendary fighter like him. If Canelo doesn't happen, then I’m ready for another big name like Caleb Plant, Jaime Munguia, Edgar Berlanga, or Mbilli. They would be great fights and get me closer to a world title fight.”