Fighting out of Coryville, PA, Zach Pannell’s journey is fueled by a profound promise he made to his late father. After his father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2015, Pannell vowed to never give up on his dream of fighting. His path has been marked by extreme resilience; despite surviving a period of homelessness, battling alcohol, and overcoming a near-fatal mental health crisis in 2022, he remains steadfast in his mission. Today, he is a dedicated family man, spending his time outside the ring with his fiancé and their children. A true homebody who works part-time in the produce department at Giant, Pannell uses the "Never Give Up" tattoo on his arm as a daily reminder to prove to his kids that goals are achievable regardless of what others say.

Pannell’s competitive roots trace back to childhood anger that he eventually channeled into 10 amateur boxing matches and a 2018 Golden Gloves run in Pennsylvania. He gained significant notoriety in the underground circuit, amassing a staggering 46-4 record in Street Beefs by fighting multiple times a day. This relentless activity caught the eye of head matchmaker Nate Shook, leading to his transition into the professional world. Training under Jinji Martinez at Jinjin Boxing Gym, Pannell has developed a high-risk, high-reward "blow for blow" style, fueled by the cinematic inspiration of Rocky and Gladiator. Known for his "finish or be finished" mentality, Pannell treats every trip to the Squared Circle as a chance to honor his father’s memory, believing the only true exit from a fight is through a knockout.