Diego Pacheco prepares to end his longest layoff since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic this weekend and while it's Trevor McCumby rather than Christian Mbilli, the 24-year-old insists his steady matchmaking will stand him in good stead for future bouts.

Most in boxing circles believe McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs) exceeded expectations and gave Caleb Plant all he could handle - for about four rounds - last September, but the 32-year-old hasn't boxed since and finds himself in an all-too-familiar role as underdog.

He believes that was just a snippet of what he's capable of producing. It's a position he embraces with open arms and judging by their Cards on the Table promotional video feature published by Matchroom's social channels on Sunday, he's saying all the right things to give neutrals another excuse: stay glued to your screens for a busy boxing weekend ahead.

"I've been in the sport a very long time, your trainer [Benavidez Sr] has known me since I was six-years-old. I have a lot of experience, seen all sorts of styles, tall and short guys, guys that can punch... that's really going to be the ultimate gamechanger, we'll handle business," he said behind the Dallas Cowboys' training facility backdrop that will transform this week.

Saturday will see Jose Benavidez Sr make an 11th appearance as Pacheco's head coach, having worked together now for three-and-a-half years. He's excited about what's to come but cautions a need for a standout showing, three weeks after Mbilli's statement stoppage of shared opponent Maciej Sulecki saw him win the WBC interim title.

"Since we started, Diego's been progressing and getting better, stronger, this is the time for him to look impressive," Benavidez Sr told The Ring.

"He can't just win against Trevor, he has to show up and earn those bigger fights and eventually world title opportunities."

Pacheco is currently the WBO's No. 1 contender for Canelo's title and also sits at No. 3 with the WBC in their latest rankings update.

Pacheco, The Ring's No. 2-rated super middleweight contender, admitted displeasure with his last outing against then-unbeaten hopeful Steven Nelson. Although he won 117-111 across all three scorecards, a relentless Nelson finished their 12-round encounter stronger and there was no repeat of the highlight reel knockout he produced against Sulecki four months earlier.

It was the first time he'd gone a full 12-round distance and 176 days later, there's belief McCumby's style will provide openings to have a shorter night's work in their chief support bout.

Saturday on DAZN (7pm ET, 12am BST, $14.99), Ring and WBC champion Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez seeks to claim another junior bantamweight title against WBO titlist Phumelela Cafu, topping a bill that also features Austin 'Ammo' Williams' latest return while two highly-rated new pros - Amari Jones and Nishant Dev - are scheduled for six-round action.

"We trained super hard for this camp, Diego's super motivated and has matured so much now that he's a father.

"You're going to see a dangerous Pacheco performance, he's been making subtle changes and adjusting to every fighting style but he needs this one to show the world... he's ready at the elite level."

Benavidez Sr revealed a willingness for Pacheco to be matched up against Mbilli (29-0, 24 KOs) and divisional newcomer Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) in future, with the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford megafight on September 13 leaving many wondering aloud where the 168-pound division's next ruler is after the undisputed champion's inevitable departure.

"Let's see, one fight at a time but possibilities are exciting now. Diego has improved a lot mentally outside the ring but also inside it, his jab and body shots are coming along, he's setting up his punches more now, sitting on shots, the power is coming through."