Diego Pacheco Stops Immanuwel Aleem In 11th Round, Retains Titles
By Real Combat Media Boxing Editorial Staff
Carson, California, (July 18th, 2026)–Diego Pacheco delivered the finish his hometown fans had been waiting for, stopping Immanuwel Aleem in the 11th round of Saturday night’s DAZN main event at Dignity Health Sports Park. The win pushed the previously undefeated Los Angeles native to 26-0 with 19 knockouts and allowed him to retain his WBC Silver and WBO International super middleweight titles.
Fighting for the first time under new trainer Buddy McGirt, Pacheco controlled the action behind a sharp jab and steady body work, wearing Aleem down after going the distance in three straight outings before Saturday. A knockdown with under a minute left in round 11 opened the door, and Pacheco closed it moments later with a sustained flurry that forced referee Ray Corona to step in at 2:32 of the round. Aleem falls to 22-5-3.
Pacheco credited the new coaching staff for his improved finishing instincts, saying afterward, “I was reading him. I was studying him every round.” Promoter Eddie Hearn wasted little time looking ahead, floating a hometown title fight against WBA champion Jaime Munguia as the logical next step, with a possible Canelo Alvarez matchup still down the road.
The undercard delivered plenty of action as well. Andy Cruz capped his rebound campaign with a third round stoppage of late replacement Abraham Montoya, Albert Gonzalez blasted out Aaron Alameda in two rounds to claim the vacant NABF featherweight title, and Bruno Rios Jr. stayed unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Saul Sanchez in a bantamweight scrap.
Full Card Results
Super Middleweight: Diego Pacheco def. Immanuwel Aleem by TKO, Round 11, 2:32 (retains WBC Silver, WBO International titles)
Lightweight: Andy Cruz def. Abraham Montoya by TKO, Round 3, 0:54
Featherweight: Albert Gonzalez def. Aaron Alameda by KO, Round 2, 1:52 (wins vacant NABF title)
Bantamweight: Bruno Rios Jr. def. Saul Sanchez by unanimous decision (96-93, 96-93, 95-94)
Heavyweight: Leo Atang def. Glen Williams by TKO, Round 2, 2:50
Lightweight: Samuel Contreras def. Jorge Alberto Ayala Lopez by unanimous decision (60-54, 59-55, 59-55)
Middleweight: Frank Espinoza def. Luis Caraballo Ramos by TKO (doctor stoppage), Round 3
Heavyweight: Federico Pacheco Jr. def. Nick Jones by TKO, Round 2, 1:31
Watch Diego Pacheco vs. Immanuwel Aleem Video Highlights:
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