Niyomtrong Seeks Second World Title in Bout Against Canizales in Bangkok

The WBC convention lands in Bangkok from November 30 to December 4, and all eyes will be on Thailand’s own Thammanoon Niyomtrong — better known as Knockout CPF — as he chases history by aiming to become a two-weight world champion.

On December 4, Knockout (28-1, 11 KOs) will move up to light-flyweight to challenge Venezuela’s Carlos Canizales (28-3-1, 20 KOs) for the WBC title. This showdown brings together two seasoned warriors, steeped in the rich history linking Thai and Venezuelan champions.

Earlier this year, Canizales avenged his controversial 2024 loss in Bangkok to Panya Pradabsri, stopping him in five rounds in Caracas to claim the vacant title. Now, he returns to the City of Angels for his first title defence — once again stepping onto enemy turf.

Knockout, 35, was a dominant WBA minimumweight champion, defending his belt 11 times and defeating top names like Wanheng Menayothin, Alex Winwood, and Roberto Paradero. His reign ended in a unification bout against Oscar Collazo in Saudi Arabia. Now ranked No. 1 by the WBC at 105 lbs, he steps up to 108 lbs in search of a fresh world title run.

Styles make fights, and this one promises fireworks. Both men are aggressive pressure fighters who like to take the fight to their opponents. For Canizales, following the drama of his last trip to Thailand, there’s a strong desire to close the show decisively this time. For Knockout, it’s about delivering a memorable performance on home soil.

At 32, Canizales is proving himself a tough road warrior, ready to defend his title away from Venezuela. Knockout, meanwhile, is eyeing a place alongside Thailand’s elite multi-division champions, eager to bring another green belt back home.

With the WBC convention set to draw global stars like Terence Crawford, Katie Taylor, Roberto Durán, and Julio César Chávez to Bangkok, this fight is much more than a title defence. It’s a battle of national pride — two relentless fighters meeting head-on with the WBC belt hanging in the balance.