Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson: Betting Odds, Predictions & Fight Preview

Championship boxing comes from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Saturday evening when world-renowned promoter Eddie Hearn gives fight fans a compelling seven-bout card. Three respected titles are on the line at the Chelsea Ballroom, with Diego Pacheco and Steven Nelson deciding the WBC USA and the WBO International at super middleweight in the main event. It promises to be a thrilling night of action, and you can follow the best bouts live on DAZN.

Fancy adding an extra edge of excitement to the occasion? You can make predictions on the fights at your chosen bookmaker. The leading sportsbooks offer pre-match and live betting odds with plenty of value available. Who will you back in the top-of-the-bill tussle? Pacheco is the hot favorite with all major sportsbooks, but it’s a competitive market. Experienced followers of the noble art know it's dangerous to take anything for granted at this level, and Nelson is here on merit and remains dangerous.

Will Pacheco live up to expectations and add another win to his already impressive CV? Perhaps you prefer the chances of Nelson who has the tools to upset the odds and supercharge his career, pushing him through the rankings and into a prominent position. There’s plenty to look forward to in the ring and lots more going on in the betting. Keep reading as former professional boxer and respected sports betting writer Frankie Monkhouse gives World Sports Network’s fans his predictions.

Pacheco vs. Nelson Odds

Traders working at the leading boxing betting sites across North America have Pacheco as their most likely winner. The top bookmakers promote a long list of markets, allowing customers to gamble on the total rounds, knockdowns, method of victory, and more specials. There are also plenty of promotions available ahead of the weekend’s boxing, including free bets, enhanced odds, and cashback deals. Browse the best bookies featured on this website, choose your favorite, and register to claim a welcome bonus.

The moneyline or fight-winner market is the simplest and most popular way to bet on boxing. Choose the fighter you expect to win the bout, set your stake, and confirm. It’s as easy as that. If your fighter does as expected and gets the victory, you’ll land the profits from your wager. But if the opponent wins or the contest ends in a draw, the bookie keeps your stake.

The following odds are courtesy of bet365 Sportsbook. Use our promo code WSN365 and claim a bonus of your choice at bet365: $1,000 Safety Net Bet OR $150 in Bonus Bets.

Pacheco vs. Nelson Predictions

Pacheco Boasts a Perfect 22-Fight Record

Diego Pacheco enters fight 23 of his professional career, having won each of his previous outings. The 23-year-old was born in California but now fights out of Washington. He’s currently ranked number one in America at the weight and number four in a global list that’s topped by Saul Alvarez. Could Pacheco continue his winning run and force his way into a money-spinning bout with the number one fighter at super middleweight and the pound-for-pound king of boxing? That’s the dream, but to stand any chance of sharing a ring with the top fighters, Diego must win convincingly on Saturday in Vegas.

The unbeaten fighter has 18 of his 22 wins inside the distance, resulting in a near 82% knockout average. The stats show Pacheco won his last fight inside six rounds when stopping Maciej Sulecki in Carson, making light work of a decent opponent. Diego has gone the scheduled distance just once in the last four years, a run of 11 bouts. That’s worth keeping in mind when making your predictions and bets this weekend. Another KO/TKO win is sure to be popular with fight fans.

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Nelson Brings a Stunning 20-0-0 CV

Steven Nelson travels from his training base in Omaha, Nebraska, to Las Vegas protecting a 20-fight perfect record as a professional fighter. The 36-year-old is ranked third in the US and 13th in the world but knows victory on Saturday would nudge him up the pecking order and toward the big-money bouts. He has stopped 16 of his previous opponents inside the distance, resulting in an 80% knockout average, and that’s sure to keep Team Pacheco on their toes during preparation.

Nelson was last in action back in the summer when he rose to the occasion to beat Marcos Vasquez Rodriguez before the end of round five at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Steven now has a golden opportunity to begin 2025 on a high and knows the outcome of this fight could shape the next phase of his career. Win, and he’ll move into impressive company. Lose, and he’ll drop back down the rankings and may be unable to recover at 36 years old. It’s a must-win for Nelson if he is to trouble the leading names at super middleweight.

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Shoot for a Stoppage Win

Here, we have a meeting of two unbeaten fighters with plenty of power, and this bout has all the ingredients of a thriller. It will catch light from the first bell and armchair fans should ensure they’re prepared for an exciting opening few rounds. But which fighter will win, and how will they score the result?

The method of victory market challenges bettors to predict which fighter will claim the victory and if they’ll get the job done by KO/TKO or on points. Saturday’s bout looks much more competitive than the pre-fight betting odds suggest, so I’m more than happy to oppose the traders. Back the underdog to prove his power, taking Nelson to win by KO/TKO at an attractive price of +650 with bet365. That’s sure to brighten up your weekend.

Nelson will take his time getting into this contest, using his experience, confidence, and momentum to avoid an early onslaught from his opponent. I expect the underdog to use his power and fitness to take control in the middle and later rounds.

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How to Watch Pacheco vs. Nelson

• Location: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom, Las Vegas

• Date: Saturday, January 25

• Time: 9:00 PM ET

• Streaming: DAZN