Crawford is frustrated with Nelson’s fighting strategy against Pacheco

Terrence Crawford was not happy with the failure of his teammate and fellow Omaha native, Steven Nelson, of Nebraska, to capitalize on the flaws in super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco’s bout last Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)

Left hook

Crawford, a former four-division world champion, says he was yelling at Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs) to throw his left hook throughout the bout because Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) was turning around and exposing his back with his defensive tactic.

All Stephen could say in his defense was that he had a third eye cut in his left eye and saw yellow from that side.

Nelson, 36 years old, did not take advantage of this flaw. In fact, he fought the wrong way in the first 10 rounds, not pursuing the lanky, stork-like Pacheco until the 11th and 12th, overwhelming him with punches and pressure. It was too late by then, and Diego, 23, survived, winning a 12-round unanimous decision.

Too little, too late

But that did not prevent him from fighting hard in the last two rounds to get close to that. He should have attacked early instead of waiting until late in the fight to go after Pacheco.

The scores were 117-111, 117-111 and 117-111.

Pacheco vs. Nelson final stats

– Diego Pacheco – 132 of 464 punches, 28.4%.
– Steven Nelson – 77 of 560 punches, 14.8%.

Terence Crawford: “I was trying to tell you about the whole fight (to throw) the hook. He (Diego Pacheco) kept going like that (turned his back to him),” Terence Crawford said in the locker room as he lectured Steven Nelson for failing to capitalize on the chances that were there all night. In his fight against Diego Pacheco: “Throw the hook.”

Steven Nelson: “I couldn’t see whose eye it was (left).” It was orange and yellow. So, this here. I was hesitant to fall here. That’s why it was difficult to do. Blood. You know, right after I got injured in the third round, it all started.

Post-fight debriefing inside Steven Nelson’s locker room 🔊 #paciconelson pic.twitter.com/M7V8kEMwrQ

— Match Room Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 26, 2025