Canelo Álvarez fight with Eddie Hearn’s Pacheco in the works

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn has Canelo Álvarez in his crosshairs for a blockbuster deal with Erick Pacheco, the 24-year-old WBC Silver super-middleweight titlist from Mexico City.

What did Hearn say about a Canelo Álvarez fight?

Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Boxing supremo, confirmed on Friday that his team is already in advanced talks with Canelo Álvarez’s camp over a potential showdown with Erick Pacheco. The 24-year-old Mexican, who holds the WBC Silver super-middleweight belt, has been rising fast through the ranks and now sits just one big win away from a mandatory shot at the full world title.

Hearn told Sky Sports that Pacheco’s team is pushing hard for the fight, and the purse math is already in motion. “We’re talking to Canelo’s team,” Hearn said. “Erick Pacheco is a real talent, and we want to make this happen.” The promoter added that the financials are “very close” to a deal, though no date or venue has been locked in yet.

Why Pacheco matters to Canelo Álvarez’s next steps

Erick Pacheco isn’t just another name on the call sheet-he’s a 24-year-old Mexican prospect with a 22-1 record and 16 KOs, all but one inside the distance. His lone defeat came against the rugged David Benavidez in a 2023 split-decision thriller, a performance that earned him instant credibility in the super-middleweight division.

For Canelo Álvarez, a win over Pacheco would extend his dominance in the super-middleweight ranks while adding another marquee scalp to his resume. The Mexican icon has already unified the division and holds the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles, but a victory over Pacheco-who trains under Benavidez-would further cement his legacy against the next wave of elite talent.

What comes next for the deal?

The next 30 days will decide whether a Canelo Álvarez vs. Erick Pacheco showdown lands in 2026. Hearn’s camp is racing to finalize the purse split, with Pacheco’s team reportedly pushing for a minimum of $5 million to step into the ring with Canelo. That figure would still leave Canelo with a nine-figure payday, given his usual cut for marquee bouts.

If the deal collapses, Matchroom’s fallback plan includes a high-profile rematch for Pacheco against another top contender, though Hearn made clear that Canelo remains the priority. “We want Canelo,” Hearn reiterated. “But we’re not waiting forever.”

How this fits into Canelo Álvarez’s 2026 schedule

Canelo Álvarez is expected to return to action in early 2026 after his last outing-a 12-round unanimous decision over Jaime Munguia in May 2025-though no opponent has been officially named. A Pacheco fight would slot neatly into his schedule, giving him a fresh challenge while keeping his name in the headlines ahead of a potential super-fight with Terence Crawford.

Pacheco, meanwhile, would catapult into the upper echelon of the division with a win over Canelo, instantly becoming a mandatory challenger for the remaining alphabet titles. For both men, the stakes couldn’t be higher-and the clock is ticking.