His opponent Saturday, Darius Fulghum, is a 30-year-old nursing graduate who didn’t start boxing until 18, one year after Pacheco had already turned pro.

While matchmakers believe Fulghum is just what the doctor ordered, Fulghum (15-1-1, 13 KOs) is proclaiming that Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs) is a cherry pick gone wrong ahead of their 12-round fight at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The matchup headlines a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN and TNT's "The Fight" series beginning at 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. GMT.

“I don’t really know what’s going on with him and I don’t care,” Fulghum said. “He’s had plenty of opportunities to fight for a world title. They made a mistake picking me.

“I’m going into this fight with some mean intentions. I always say each fight is my most important, even in the beginning of my career, or I wouldn’t be where I am. Like it or not, you need to respect the sport.”

Like Pacheco, Fulghum is a promising contender, but his party has been spoiled with a 1-1-1 stretch over the last 18 months. Fulghum lost for the first time in a May 2025 firefight and WBA title eliminator against Bektemir Melikuziev. A lackluster showing followed in his next fight, a majority draw against David Stevens. Fulghum finally returned to the win column this past summer by blasting Yoanki Urrutia in three rounds.

Pacheco, meanwhile, ended a lukewarm run by stopping Immanuwel Aleem in 11 one-sided rounds in July following a trio of ho-hum unanimous decision wins against Steven Nelson, Trevor McCumby and Kevin Lele Sadjo.

“Life is about the need to overcome adversity, and it can also be a beautiful story,” Fulghum said. "No great stories are without trials and tribulations to overcome. When I decided to box when I was 18, I said I’d never give up and made that commitment to myself. Nothing’s been easy during my journey, and it’s crazy how it has been

“This fight against Pacheco will make my story that much sweeter. It’s also motivational because I’m going to prove that little, insecure kid made the right decision."