I WASN’T expecting my evening to take a turn like this. It was late when my phone lit up — a call from Mr. Piyarat Vachirarattanawong, manager and promoter of Panya Pradabsri (44-2, 27 KO), better known to the boxing world as Petchmanee CPF.
“Hello Wasim, sorry to call you so late,” he said. “But will you be able to go with Panya to his fight in Caracas?” “Sure,” I answered, almost without thinking. It made perfect sense. Panya and I go way back. We trained together when I was an active pro, and for a few years, I served as his assistant trainer.
This time, I’d be joining him not only in that familiar role but also as his fight-week coordinator. When someone you share that history with asks you to stand in their corner for one of the biggest fights of their career, you don’t need to think too hard about the answer.
This fight carries plenty of intrigue. Panya, a former long-reigning WBC world champion at 105 lbs, now holds the WBC light-flyweight title. But this reign comes with an asterisk. His first outing at 108, last December against Carlos Cañizales, 27-3-1 (19 KOs), ended in a majority decision that almost everyone, in Thailand and outside of it, believed Cañizales deserved to win.
That controversy has fueled this rematch, and for Panya, alongside head trainer Chatchai Sasakul and assistant trainer Junkot Chinnakrit, it’s as much about silencing doubters as it is about defending his title. Together, they’ve made the necessary adjustments to prove he truly belongs at 108 lbs.
Our team of four — Panya, Chatchai, Junkot, and myself — prepared for the trip with a mix of excitement and unease. Venezuela has a rich boxing history but also a reputation for political unrest, violent crime, and one of the highest murder rates in the world. To say there was a sense of uncertainty hanging over us would be an understatement.
Arriving in Caracas
We touched down in Caracas on Thursday, 23rd July, after a gruelling 40-hour journey. Surprisingly, spirits were high. Panya’s weight was right where we wanted it — 51.6 kg the morning we left Bangkok, leaving him perfectly placed with nine days to make the 108 lb limit. Our journey included a 13-hour layover in Istanbul, where we grabbed a hotel room for some rest and a shower before boarding the 17-hour haul across the Atlantic.
I spent much of that leg sitting next to Chatchai, running through the game plan, preparation, and, inevitably, our thoughts about what awaited us in Caracas. The stories of crime and unrest were on everyone’s mind, though no one needed to say it out loud.
When we arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport, we were greeted by ESPN broadcasters Renato and Andres Bermudez for a short interview. The usual questions followed: “How was camp?” “How do you feel about fighting in Venezuela?” and, inevitably, “The first fight with Cañizales was close — what adjustments have you made?”
Panya, like most Thai fighters, is a man of few words. “I prepared well. We are ready,” he said. Chatchai, more seasoned with the media, added: “We’ll have to see what happens in the ring.” And with that, our mission in Caracas began.
First training day
After a well-deserved night’s rest and with some jet lag still lingering, we woke at 7 a.m. for Panya’s daily run. His weight was good, and the session was light: 30 minutes at an easy pace, just enough for a sweat. Afterwards, we headed to breakfast before taking a short walk to buy fruit.
Venezuela is a Spanish-speaking country, and communicating can be tough at times, but people here are warm and friendly. At a local fruit store, we quickly made friends when the employees learned Panya is a world champion. It’s a reminder of how boxing unites people, no matter where you are.
At 1 p.m., we trained at Classic Boxing Gym in downtown Caracas, greeted warmly by trainer Antonio Jose Pabon. The weather was pleasant, and the gym had a calm, almost hushed atmosphere. It wasn’t a packed or noisy place, which suited us perfectly for a light session.
Alongside 19‑year‑old prospect Brandon Garcia, who is 2‑0 as a pro and a four‑time Venezuelan amateur national champion, the Thai champion worked the bag in a calm, focused session. Many in the gym gravitated to Chatchai Sasakul — after all, he’s a former WBC flyweight champion and famously the man Manny Pacquiao beat to claim his first world title.
The day’s training was intentionally light: 20 minutes of skipping, some pad work, and a little bag work. At 33, the Thai has been in this situation many times and carries himself with composure. As Chatchai said: “Sometimes he’s so relaxed that he looks flimsy, but in the ring, when it’s time to fight, his nature is different.”
That sums up CPF perfectly — calm but focused, a quiet intensity I haven’t seen in him before.
After training, Venezuelan outlet Puro Boxeo stopped by for an interview. One question stood out: “The first fight with Cañizales was a close one — what adjustments have you made for this fight?” In truth, like most people, I had Cañizales clearly winning that first fight, but here in Caracas, the fans and media have been respectful. His response was simple: “I have trained hard, and we adjusted according to Cañizales from the first fight.”
A Champion’s Perspective
Later, David Grimán — a former world champion — came by to watch the session. Grimán has a history with Thai boxing, having twice flown to Thailand to challenge Khaosai Galaxy and Saen Sor Ploenchit for their world titles. Chatchai’s eyes lit up when he saw him: “I know you — do you remember me?” he said. They didn’t share a language, but with hand signals, bits of translation, and mutual respect, they connected. Watching them, you’re reminded again: boxing is a universal language.
When I spoke to Grimán, he was quick to point out how difficult it can be to fight in your home country. “Fighting at home is not easy,” he told me. “People think it’s easier, but it’s more complicated. When you’re in front of your own people, the pressure is real. Carlos, being from Caracas, surely has the immense blessing of being cheered by his compatriots — but that comes with pressure.”
For him, this fight is about more than one man. “Having another world title fight in Venezuela opens many doors and brings hope — hope that fights of this level will continue to be held in our country. Winning a title is always difficult anywhere, but at home, it can give you that extra boost.”
When I asked what makes this rematch so important, his answer cut to the heart of it: “Cañizales has the opportunity to avenge that loss, which, for us Venezuelans, was bittersweet because we believed Carlitos deserved the victory. Now Venezuela, which hasn’t had a world champion since Roger Gutiérrez in 2022, has the chance to break that streak.”
Grimán also reflected on his own career. “Honestly, those fights with Galaxy and Saen were wonderful experiences. They were defeats, but they helped me immensely — not just as a boxer but for life… I lost to two stars of Thai boxing, and the experience of being in such a wonderful country is something I will always carry in my heart.”
And on the state of Venezuelan boxing: “Since my era, Venezuelan boxing has had its ups and downs. After my coronation as world champion, many great Venezuelan boxers emerged, such as Lorenzo Parra, ‘El Niño de Oro’ Linares, and Edwin Valero — just to name three.
But in recent years, boxing has declined. No significant fight cards have been held in Venezuela, and there hasn’t been that sparring and competition with international fighters. As a consequence, boxing hasn’t developed as it should, and we now have few high-level boxers who have a real chance of becoming world champions.”
The WBC Check-In
After our first day of training, the day was not over. We had the WBC 7‑day weigh‑in at the hotel. Met by WBC representative Nicolas Hidalgo. Panya passed without issue, coming in at 51.4 kg — right on the limit.
It was a long day — travel, training, interviews, and now the WBC check‑in — but Panya remained as calm as ever. Watching him, you can see why he’s been here so many times before. For now, the work is about staying sharp and steady. Now, all that’s left is the fight — and the answers it will bring.
