CP Freshmart-Collazo To Do Battle In Historic Unification Bout

Oscar Collazo (10-0, 7 KOs) and Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-0, 9 KOs) have agreed to terms for a highly anticipated strawweight unification bout, marking one of the most significant events in the division in over two decades. The two undefeated champions will face off on November 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Riyadh Season ‘Latino Night’ boxing event. The unification bout was first reported by El Caballero Del Boxeo, confirming the collision of two of the division’s best.

Collazo, the WBO titleholder, will defend his belt for the fourth time against Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart, who has held the WBA title for an impressive stretch of 13 defenses. Niyomtrong is the longest-reigning active champion in the sport, a testament to his skill and consistency. Collazo was already set to face Mexico’s Edwin ‘Canito’ Hernandez as part of the Riyadh Season event, but as Ring Magazine’s Jake Donovan reports, the winner of the unification must next face Hernandez.

Niyomtrong, often compared to a less physically gifted orthodox version of Manny Pacquiao, uses a precise jab to control distance and explode with multi-angle combinations. Over time, he has shown a more methodical side to his game. Against larger opponents like Robert Paradero and Siridech Deebok, he opted for a lower-volume, counter-punching style, showing his adaptability. However, in his fight against former champion Menayothin, CP Freshmart returned to his high-volume approach, overwhelming his opponent. His most recent bout was a majority decision victory over Australia’s Alex Winwood, which marked his return after more than two years of inactivity.

On the other side of the ring is Oscar Collazo, whose meteoric rise in the strawweight division has captivated fans. The 27-year-old Puerto Rican southpaw has wasted no time establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. He made his mark in 2022 with a dominant shutout victory over former world champion Vic Saludar, and shortly after, he claimed the WBO strawweight title by stopping Melvin Jerusalem in the seventh round. Since capturing the belt, Collazo has stayed active, defeating fringe contenders Garen Diagan, Reyneris Gutierrez, and Gerardo Zapata.

Known for his high-octane style and electric offense, Collazo has consistently called for unifications, naming Niyomtrong, former IBF champion Pedro Taduran, and Melvin Jerusalem as targets. His hunger for big fights has now paid off, as he gets the opportunity to face Niyomtrong in the division’s first significant unification bout in over 20 years, a feat not seen since the legendary Ricardo “Finito” Lopez.

As November 16 approaches, the boxing world eagerly awaits this clash of champions, where one will emerge as the unified strawweight champion in what promises to be a memorable night in Riyadh.

This matchup is a historic milestone for the strawweight division, with both fighters eager to solidify their legacies. Collazo, the younger, explosive champion, looks to become the undisputed king at 105 pounds, while Niyomtrong, the wily veteran, aims to extend his reign and add another belt to his already storied career.

Subscribe to the Brunch Boxing website, Twitter and Podcast for more updates and in-depth coverage of the world of boxing in and out of the ring.

Brunch Boxing Support Links:
🔗 https://linktr.ee/brunchboxing

Napoleon Fly’s Top 10 Strawweights:
🔗 https://www.brunchboxing.com/items-1/napoleon-fly’s-top-ten-strawweights

Napoleon Fly’s Knockout CP Freshmart Piece:
🔗 https://www.brunchboxing.com/items-1/the-“knockout”-king-returns-against-australian-star-alex-winwood