Diego Pacheco's Major Overhaul

The Missing Piece: Adding Buddy McGurt

For rising super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco, the wake-up call came in the form of a knockdown. It was, as he describes it, a “simple little mistake” he’d been getting away with his whole career. But at the elite level, those small errors have major consequences. This realization sparked a period of profound change, beginning with the addition of a crucial new team member: Hall of Fame trainer Buddy McGurt. “I feel like Buddy was that missing piece that we needed,” Pacheco explains. “That experience, that Hall of Fame knowledge… him being a world champion himself and obviously being in the corner of many world champions.” The partnership, which began in March, has focused on tightening up those very details that can define a fight. Pacheco says the camp has been a great success, filled with adjustments and improvements as he absorbs the lessons from his new mentor. McGurt's ability to strategize for different opponent styles has already given Pacheco a surge of confidence, proving that the legendary trainer was the right man to guide him through the next phase of his career.

Family First: A Return to Roots

The changes for Pacheco weren't just in the gym; they were foundational. The 25-year-old also switched management and, most importantly, moved his entire training camp back home to Los Angeles. The decision was driven by major life events, including the birth of his daughter. Being away from family in Seattle under his previous manager, Jose Benavidez Sr., was taking a toll. “I just had a baby… just being a dad, being a husband, you know, having people who I have to bring under my wing,” Pacheco says. He recalls his mother’s tears on phone calls and knew he wanted his own daughter to grow up surrounded by family. Faced with a choice between moving to Miami with the Benavidez camp or starting fresh in LA, Pacheco chose home. The move was an amicable one. He gives immense credit to Benavidez Sr. for understanding his priorities and releasing him from his contract. “He wished me the best,” Pacheco shares. “He told me that he thinks I'd be a world champion very soon… a lot of respect to him for that for sure.” Now signed with Sheer Sports, Pacheco feels the support of a solid team and the contentment of being where his heart is.

Loyalty Amidst a Long Layoff

This period of transition resulted in a seven-month layoff, the longest of Pacheco’s professional career. However, the time off was anything but idle. It was a crucial window to build chemistry with McGurt, scout different trainers, and establish his new LA-based program. “We've been getting building that chemistry and fixing those little errors,” he says of his work with McGurt. While almost every other aspect of his career was overhauled, one key relationship remained intact: his promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing. Despite the seismic shifts, Pacheco felt a strong sense of loyalty to Eddie Hearn’s outfit, which signed him when he was just 17. “I'm a guy that that's all loyalty is big to me,” he insists. He compares it to his first-ever trainer, whom he would have stayed with forever if circumstances hadn't changed. For Pacheco, the new-look team, grounded in the familiar comfort of home and backed by the promotional power he trusts, is the perfect recipe as he prepares to show the world his evolution against Immanuwel Aleem.