Diego Pacheco vs. Darius Fulghum press conference quotes and fight prediction

November 13, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Diego Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs) and Darius Fulghum (15-1-1, 13 KOs) will soon clash in a 12-round super middleweight contest.

Their bout headlines a Matchroom Boxing card at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA. Fight fans in the United States can catch the action live on TNT Sports and DAZN. The rest of the world can do so on DAZN.

Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.

Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their Nov. 14 clash. Below is some of what they had to say.

Diego Pacheco vs. Darius Fulghum press conference quotes

Diego Pacheco

“As of right now, I’m 100 per cent locked in on this fight Saturday night,” said Pacheco. “I know Darius is a great fighter and that’s how we prepare, the best we can. Like I said, I’m just ready to go Saturday night. I’m grateful to be here and I’m just ready to put on a great show.”

“Come on, man,” he said in response to Fulghum’s claim that taking this fight was a mistake. “I’ve been here before and I’m not here on accident. I fought guys ranked higher than him before and it’s just what I do. It’s another fight for me. Of course, I’m not overlooking him. I never take any fight lightly at this stage. Like I said, I did everything right this camp. In the boxing gym, at home, outside of the gym. I made sure I did everything right and I’m just ready to go. You guys will see that Saturday. Nothing else I can say. Saturday night I’m going to work.”

Darius Fulghum

“It’s really just down to the preparation [as to why I think I beat Pacheco],” said Fulghum. “I know what I do in the gym. I’ve seen everything that I’m capable of and I see the holes in the game and I know nobody’s seen a style like mine. And I think with a guy like Diego, no doubt in my mind that I’m winning.”

“I say all the time, the goal for me is to win. Win in any fashion and how that looks. I’m coming out to get my hand raised by any means necessary. And really to Diego, one thing that I learned in life that I want to share, too, is that in life sometimes opportunities come very few and far. Sometimes you may not get opportunity again…You got to think about that at night like ‘damn, I may not get a chance to be a world champion ever again’ and that’s why this fight on Saturday means so much because we’re both putting our whole dreams on the line for this. We get one moment. We got to seize it.”

Matchroom Boxing

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

Prediction courtesy of Ricky Carroll: Pacheco is a disciplined fighter who uses his jab well to control the distance in his fights and punches from range, utilising his 79-inch reach. Now under the tutelage of Buddy McGirt, Pacheco looked sharper against Immanuwel Aleem and got the much-needed knockout. He picks his spots well and puts together smart combinations, which help him to control the action in his fights.

Fulghum is clearly a talented fighter who carries pop in his punches. A win here over Pacheco would put him on a new level in the 168-lb division. He is adept at breaking his opponents down and will need to close the distance on Pacheco effectively to get off his best work. Fulghum was a talented amateur, and he will be confident he can close that gap on Pacheco and make him uncomfortable.

Pacheco is extremely disciplined, but can be hit, and has switched off in fights previously. However, under the guidance of McGirt, I see the 25-year-old doing enough to beat Fulghum by decision.

Full press conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Matchroom Boxing.