NOW that it’s fight week, there’s a strange calm in the air. The team seems relaxed, and the aura surrounding us feels positive. We’re rigid with our routine: breakfast at 7 a.m., a bit of rest, then a 1 p.m. workout. But today was different. I left the team behind and went out on my own.
I wanted to experience the Poliedro de Caracas—the venue that will host Friday’s rematch between Panya Pradabsri and Carlos Cañizales. At breakfast, I met ESPN broadcasters Renato and Andrés Bermúdez (pictured below), a big part of why this event is happening. We’d arranged to go together to the Poliedro.
On the drive, Renato explained that the arena is part of a larger complex—next to the La Rinconada Hippodrome, a horse racing track, and the Estadio Monumental de Caracas Simón Bolívar, a state-of-the-art baseball stadium with a capacity of 40,000. “The first sport in Venezuela is baseball,” Renato told me. “They live baseball like a religion.”
Walking Into the Poliedro
As we arrived, the building immediately felt monumental. It’s hard to describe—like stepping back into history. Inside, the production crew was already at work. I walked around quietly, taking it all in. I made my way up to the seats at the back, sat down, and just looked over the arena floor. It’s a venue that has seen some incredible moments.
In 1974, George Foreman fought Ken Norton here in what became known as “The Caracas Caper.” Foreman stopped Norton in the second round, with Muhammad Ali in attendance. Decades later, the building still carries that history.
There’s also a strange symmetry between this rematch and their first meeting. When Panya and Cañizales fought last year, it was at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, a historic Muay Thai arena that hadn’t hosted a boxing world title fight in 17 years.
Now, they meet again in the Poliedro, which hasn’t staged a world title bout in a decade. Two fights, two historic venues, both brought back to life by this rivalry. And on Friday, it comes alive again—for Cañizales, for Panya, for Venezuelan boxing.
Talking With Renato
Later, I sat with Renato to discuss the venue and the fight. The Poliedro has hosted some huge moments in boxing history—what fights or memories stand out to you the most from this venue?
“The first big fight here was in March 1974: George Foreman versus Ken Norton,” Renato said. “Muhammad Ali was in attendance. Foreman knocked Norton out in round two. That was huge.
“But for us Venezuelans, the one we really remember is Jorge Linares. Ten years ago, Linares, one of the best boxers in our history, defended his WBC lightweight title against Ivan Cano here. Carlos fought on that undercard too. That was the last time we had a world champion fighting here. Now, with Panya and Carlos, we’re excited to finally have another world title fight at the Poliedro.”
How do you think those nights will compare to Friday?
“This one is special. It’s been ten years since a world champion fought here. Now Carlos is the number one pound-for-pound boxer in Venezuela; maybe Albert Ramírez too, but Carlos has this opportunity.
“The first fight in Thailand was great, and now he gets to come home for the rematch. With 10,000 people cheering for him, it’s going to be special. And what’s even bigger is the broadcast—ESPN in English and ESPN Deportes in Spanish, reaching 65 million people through ESPN and Disney Plus. That’s amazing.”
How do you think Venezuelan boxing fans view the Poliedro? Does it still carry the same prestige it once did?
“The Poliedro is an icon in this sport. It’s had a lot of boxing events and a lot of prestigious artists, but especially boxing. I know many fighters in Venezuela who want to be part of this event. Not just for the main event, but because they want to fight in the Poliedro. They want to see on their BoxRec that they fought in the Poliedro de Caracas.”
On the first fight:
“A lot of Venezuelan fans think Carlos won the fight. For me, the same 115-113 for Carlos. Lots of casual fans had a lot to say, but I don’t think that. I think the fight was close. Great fight, a lot of action, a lot of volume. I disagreed with the judges, but it happens in boxing.
“Both boxers are prepared for that. They shared the ring for 12 rounds. I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. For me, it’s going to be a close decision again. As a Venezuelan, I hope Carlos keeps the belt here. But I know the quality of champion Panya.”
Do you think we could see a fight number three if it’s close again?
“Yeah, why not a trilogy? I would love to be in Thailand for the WBC convention this year, and we can make the trilogy at the WBC convention.”
For someone who has covered boxing and lived Venezuelan boxing, what does it mean to bring world-class boxing back to this venue?
“It’s a dream come true. Making the event as a promoter last year was my first time as a promoter. My 20-year career, 10 years doing boxing.
“I have covered boxing in Riyadh, Wembley Stadium, MGM, T-Mobile, and Madison Square Garden. And for sure, as a broadcaster, I would change those venues to broadcast here at the Poliedro de Caracas. It’s so special and personal. The adrenaline—it’s personal. Even if there’s no one here now because we’re working, you still feel it’s special.”
How do you hope fans—especially younger ones who haven’t seen a big fight here before—experience this event?
“That’s one of the main things for us: to bring young people, not only for this event but for boxing. They can see a lot of young talent. We support younger boxers to fight here. There aren’t many opportunities at this level in Venezuela. We did it last year; we’re doing it again.
“And I think this is a great example for the younger ones to fight here or in the stands to watch quality fights.”
Quiet Moments in a Legendary Place
When the production crew quieted and the arena fell silent, I sat for a while in the upper rows.
The Poliedro is more than concrete and steel. It’s a landmark for Venezuelan boxing—a stage where legends have been crowned and a symbol of what the sport means to this country.
On Friday, it comes alive again. For Carlos Cañizales, it’s a chance to reclaim what he believes is his. For Panya Pradabsri, it’s a chance to defend his title and silence the doubters in the most hostile of arenas.
For Venezuela, it’s something more than a night to remind the world of its place in boxing history and a chance to write the next chapter in a venue that refuses to be forgotten.
