Oscar Collazo vs Thammanoon Niyomtrong Predictions: Minimumweight, max excitement

WBO minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo defends his title against WBA titlist Thammanoon Niyomtrong, better known as Knockout CP Freshmart, this Saturday, November 16. The unification match-up takes place at The Venue in Riyadh, on the undercard of Gilberto Ramirez vs Chris Billam-Smith. DAZN will screen the show live on their platform.

Here are my Collazo vs Niyomtrong predictions ahead of this blockbuster battle of the 105-pounders.

Strawweight is boxing’s diametric opposite to the heavyweight division. The big men receive the majority of the attention despite fights that can often be plodding and unfulfilling. Meanwhile, boxing’s brilliant smaller men get very little spotlight despite routinely delivering thrilling displays of will and skill.

If you’re a boxing fan looking for something exciting, this fight is a perfect entry-point for the 105lb division. Two unbeaten fighters boxing to unify their world championships as part of a packed card in Saudi Arabia. Despite the colossal cruiserweight main event and outings for luminaries like William Zepeda, Arnold Barboza Jr. and Oscar Duarte, Collazo-Niyomtrong could steal the show.

Niyomtrong is better known by his ring name of Knockout CP Freshmart, an eye-catching moniker owing to his sponsorship with a supermarket. Despite his name promising stoppages, Freshmart actually only has nine finishes in his 25 wins. But he has been the WBA world champion since his 13th fight.

Freshmart has wins over decorated ex-champion Wanheng Menayothin, Olympian Alex Winwood, former WBA boss Byron Rojas and China’s first-ever professional world champion, Xiong Chaozhong. Now he looks to add Collazo to this fine resume as he risks both his title and unbeaten record in a huge fight.

Collazo gives up the experience advantage here. ‘El Pupilo’ has had 15-less pro fights than Freshmart, who has been a professional for eight years longer. But Collazo makes up for a lack of quantity with his quality. 

The Puerto Rican is 10-0, with statement wins over Vic Saludar, Melvin Jerusalem and Gerardo Zapata on his ledger. A world champion since clinching the WBO belt in his seventh fight, Collazo comes into this Riyadh showdown high on momentum.

It is fights like these that sustain the fabric of boxing. Excellent champions with everything to lose and everything to gain casting caution aside to entertain the public. The Riyadh Season cards always attract a lot of eyeballs. Hopefully a scintillating showdown between two of the premier minimumweights in the world will thoroughly entertain the masses.

Oscar Collazo vs Thammanoon Niyomtrong Fight Odds

Collazo is 1/16 to unify the titles here. Niyomtrong is priced as the 7/1 underdog. A draw is a 20/1 shot.

Oscar Collazo vs Thammanoon Niyomtrong Fight Card

Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith

Jose Carlos Ramirez vs. Arnold Barbosa Jr

Oscar Collazo vs. Thammanoon Niyomtrong

Wiliam Zepeda Segura vs. Tevin Farmer

Oscar Duarte Jurado vs. Botirzhon Akhmedov

Ziyad Almaayouf vs. Juan Garcia

Oscar Collazo vs Thammanoon Niyomtrong Predictions

Collazo has seven knockouts in his 10 victories. I think he’ll add to the latter number but not the former here. Freshmart has more than enough artistry to stay in there with ‘El Pupilo’ for the full duration.

My tip is Collazo on points at 1/1.