The Matchroom Boxing chief recently discussed the future of Diego Pacheco (25-0, 18 KOs), who fought three times in 2025, going undefeated against Steven Nelson, Trevor McCumby and Kevin Lee Sadjo. He's yet to fight this year but that's expected to change.

“It looks like July 18,” Hearn said. “[Pacheco] will fight in Los Angeles on his own show.”

Hearn didn’t mention an opponent, but The Ring’s No. 6 super middleweight was recently ordered to fight Troy Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) in an IBF eliminator. The winner of that bout would be the mandatory contender for Osleys Iglesias, the IBF champion.

Pacheco, according to Hearn, will have a well-built card to support him, including Andy Cruz vs. Albert Bell.

“You’ll see that on the Pacheco card,” he said. “This Pacheco card is gonna be red hot.”

After weeks of stagnant negotiations, Matchroom won the purse bids to stage the fight, putting up $298,000 to do so. The winner will be mandatory challenger to IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla.

Bell, a 33-year-old who’s ranked No. 3 in the IBF at 135 pounds, is unbeaten in 28 fights, albeit against lower competition. His last appearance came in August where scored a lopsided points win over Keith Hunter.

Cruz (6-1, 3 KOs), a 2020 Olympic gold medalist, lost by majority decision against Muratalla in his first crack at a world title in January.