Oscar Collazo, the undefeated WBO strawweight champion from Puerto Rico, knows he has more than a belt on the line this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This night is also about showing that the little guys belong on the big cards.
The unification fight against Thailand’s WBA titleholder Thammanoon Niyomtrong, known as Knockout CP Freshmart, offers both champions a prime spotlight on DAZN.
Collazo originally hoped to land five title fights in 2024, inspired by his promoter Oscar De La Hoya’s promise of a $5 million reward for any titleholder achieving that feat. Spoiler alert: he’ll end the year with three title fights, though this one could define his career.
“We didn’t get those five fights, but we got a dream fight – unification, making history,” Collazo said during “Latino Night” grand arrivals. “I’m the first Puerto Rican to come to Riyadh and fight at minimumweight. This is what I wanted.”
Collazo, 10-0 (7 KOs), is emerging as a rare knockout puncher in the 105lbs division. Earlier this year, he stopped Reyneris Gutierrez in Arizona, followed by a 12-round unanimous decision over Gerardo Zapata in June. Known for powerful finishes, Collazo’s style is unusual for his weight class. But his goal isn’t just to show power; he’s aiming to unify and secure his status as the best strawweight in the world.
“We’re going to steal the show that night – all respect to the other fighters, but this is going to be the best fight,” Collazo said of his opponent, who boasts a 25-0 (9 KOs) record and 13 title defenses since winning the WBA title in 2016. “We’re going to make a stand that minimumweights deserve to be in a big fight.”
The match underscores the challenges lower-weight fighters face compared to their higher-weight peers. Niyomtrong, 34, has fought primarily in his native Thailand, with a recent trip to Australia to score a majority decision over Alex Winwood in September, adding to his stellar resume. But Collazo remains unfazed.
“I want to be undisputed,” Collazo said. “I’ve got to be more intelligent in the ring, pick my shots patiently, and use my IQ and defense.”
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