Diego Pacheco vs Darius Fulghum Set For November 14 In California

Diego Pacheco will face Darius Fulghum on November 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, in the latest headline bout of TNT Sports and DAZN’s monthly series, The Fight.

Pacheco had also been in line for an opportunity to contest the vacant WBO super-middleweight title following Hamzah Sheeraz’s decision to relinquish the belt.

However, the unbeaten contender informed the WBO that he had already signed to face Fulghum and was therefore unable to enter negotiations for a vacant-title fight with Janibek Alimkhanuly.

That left No.3-ranked Jacob Bank as the next available challenger, and the WBO subsequently ordered Alimkhanuly-Bank for the vacant title. The parties were given 15 days to negotiate before purse bids, with that period due to expire next week.

Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs), ranked No.2 by the WBO and No.3 by the WBC, will instead defend his WBO International and WBC Silver belts against Fulghum.

If Pacheco comes through the November 14 fight and remains on the WBO route, the eventual Alimkhanuly-Bank winner could become a potential opponent for him in 2027.

The contest will be Pacheco’s third appearance at Dignity Health Sports Park. He stopped Maciej Sulecki there in August 2024 and returned this year to halt Immanuwel Aleem in the 11th round in his first fight under trainer Buddy McGirt.

“I’m excited to be fighting in Los Angeles again,” Pacheco said. “Every time I’ve fought in Los Angeles, I’ve knocked out my opponent, so I’m looking forward to continuing that streak and putting on another great performance for my hometown fans.”

Fulghum (15-1-1, 13 KOs), who is ranked No.5 by the WBO, has the chance to take Pacheco’s place near the front of the world-title queue. The Houston fighter defeated Alantez Fox and stopped Winfred Harris Jr before suffering his first defeat against Bektemir Melikuziev in a WBA eliminator.

He then drew with David Stevens before returning to winning form in May, when he stopped Yoanki Urrutia in the third round.

“Darius Fulghum is a talented and hungry fighter, and I respect what he brings to the ring,” Pacheco said. “I know he sees this as his opportunity, but I see it as another step toward becoming a world champion. I’m preparing for the best version of him, and on fight night, I’m going to remind everyone why I’m one of the top fighters in the division.”

Fulghum also views the fight as a route towards a title opportunity rather than simply another assignment.

“The winner of this fight puts us at the door of a world title opportunity,” he said. “The stakes are high and November 14, I’m leaving no doubt. I’m putting everything on the line and the fans will see the best version of DFG.”

The show is another collaboration between Matchroom Boxing, Pacheco’s promoter, and Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Fulghum. Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn said Pacheco was making progress under McGirt but acknowledged the danger presented by Fulghum.

“Diego is gelling well with Buddy and will show more from his bag on November 14 – but Darius is a dangerous and hungry man who has the same ambition as Diego, to become World champion in 2027,” Hearn said.

The bout will headline the latest instalment of TNT Sports and DAZN’s monthly series, The Fight. It will be shown in the United States on TNT, truTV and DAZN, with DAZN carrying the card internationally. The undercard has yet to be announced.