Oscar Collazo delivered one other scintillating assertion as he blasted previous Thammanoon Niyomtrong to turn into WBO and WBA unified minimumweight champion on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith’s struggle in opposition to Gilberto Ramirez on Saturday evening. Â
The Ring Journal champion unleashed a thumping proper hook to ground his Thai opponent in a livid sixth spherical, earlier than sending Niyomtrong stumbling to the canvas once more with one other crashing proper within the seventh.
He ultimately sealed the deal in emphatic style as he landed a brutal left uppercut to complete a valiant however tiring Niyomtrong, who noticed his unbeaten report come to an finish after the primary defeat of his skilled profession to fall to 25-1.
Niyomtrong, identified by his ring title of Knockout CP Freshmart, had held the WBA title since beating Byron Rojas in June 2016.
Collazo in the meantime strikes to 11-0 as knowledgeable along with his eighth knockout win, underlining why he’s regarded so extremely around the globe and precisely why he’s anticipated to rise by the weights.
“Lots of people doubted me, a lot respect for the reigning champion, individuals mentioned I solely had 10 fights and could not make it, however look the place we at the moment are.
“I am the king now at 105lbs for a bit of island known as Puerto Rico!
“I listened to my team, waited patiently for the shot, he’s a veteran so knew what to do. I heard my corner to get that right hook in and we got it.
“We began engaged on the physique and sporting him out, after I noticed him respiratory arduous the time was proper.”
Collazo was the dominant fighter from the primary bell, commanding every of the primary 5 rounds with superior pace, energy and boxing IQ amid a mature and blistering efficiency in opposition to his savvy opponent.
Spherical six marked his alternative to extend the tempo as Collazo launched a vicious assault amounting to a perfectly-timed shot to ship Niyomtrong to the ground.
By now it was merely a matter of time, Niyomtrong unable to throw something in return till his resistance lastly broke within the face of a decisive upper-cut in spherical seven.
“I know I put the 105lb division on notice, I want all the belts next, I want to make history and be the first undisputed champion from Peurto Rico,” added Collazo.
Zepeda climbs off canvas to edge Farmer
What had been billed as a one-sided affair became one of many fights of the evening as William Zepeda overcame a knockdown to beat a disenchanted Tevin Farmer in a split-decision victory.
It was hardly the overwhelming efficiency Zepeda had been hoping for in view of a potential struggle in opposition to Shakur Stevenson because the obligatory challenger for the WBC light-weight world title.
The Mexican was floored by a beautifully-timed left hand from Farmer within the fourth spherical because the American threatened to spring an upset.
However Zepeda confirmed grit and resilience to attract on superior quantity and depth that may flip the struggle round over the second half of the competition.
“We always knew it was going to be a really tough fight,” Zepeda mentioned.”I think it shows there are lot of things I have to perfect going forward but I’m happy with my performance tonight.
“He tried to shut me down and never enable me to really feel comfy in there. We did attempt to get that physique work in there.
“I think during the shot [that knocked him down], it surprised me a little bit, maybe knocked my confidence a little bit but what I had to do was draw on my experience to come through and win that fight.”
Barboza Jr overcomes Ramirez
Arnold Barboza Jr has his sights set on a world title shot after overcoming Jose Ramirez by way of unanimous determination after a contest wanting flashpoints.
Barboza was awarded it 97-93, 96-94, 96-94 throughout a contest he insisted had been overdue.
“It’s a long time coming. I’ve been waiting for opportunities like this,” he mentioned.
“11 years in the making. I was close to hanging them up a few years back.
“This was my championship struggle,” Barboza said. “That is the struggle that I have been wanting.”
Oscar Duarte emerged victorious in an unrelenting 10-round epic in opposition to Batyr Akmedov earlier within the evening, clinching a unanimous determination with scores of 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.
The Mexican improved his report to 28-2-1 in his second straight win after struggling a stoppage defeat to Ryan Garcia in December 2023.
“I know that my opponent Akmedov is a great fighter,” mentioned Duarte. “I knew that he is a great warrior.
“However I assumed I did sufficient to win clearly,” he continued. “I am prepared for anyone and I need to struggle Devin Haney.
“And if it’s not him I’d like to fight any of the best… I’m ready for the next opportunity.”
Juan Garcia of Mexico opened the night by holding Ziyad Almaayouf to a majority draw, one judging ruling it 58-56 in favour of the latter whereas the opposite two judges agreed on 57-57 in a decent contest over six rounds.
Watch IBF welterweight champion Natasha Jonas tackle WBC titlist Ivana Habazin on the Liverpool Exhibition Centre on December 14, dwell on Sky Sports activities
