THE WBC convention lands in Bangkok from November 30 to December 4, and in the spotlight is Thailand’s Thammanoon Niyomtrong — better known as Knockout CPF — who looks to become a two-weight world champion.
On December 4, Knockout (28-1, 11 KOs) moves up to light-flyweight to challenge Venezuela’s Carlos Canizales (28-3-1, 20 KOs) for the WBC belt. The fight brings together two veterans, with plenty of 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 win the vacant title. Now he comes back to the City of Angels for his first defence, once again on away soil.
Knockout, 35, was the long-reigning WBA minimumweight champion, making 11 defences and beating names like Wanheng Menayothin, Alex Winwood, and Roberto Paradero, before losing his belt in a unification clash with Oscar Collazo in Saudi Arabia. Ranked No. 1 with the WBC at 105 lbs, he now steps up to 108 in search of another world title run.
Styles make fights, and this one should deliver. Both men come forward, both like to bring pressure. For Canizales, after what happened last time in Thailand, he’ll want to close the show. For Knockout, it’s about putting on a performance at home.
At 32, Canizales is looking to prove himself as a road warrior and defend his title on foreign soil. For Knockout, the goal is to join Thailand’s list of multi-division champions and bring another green belt home.
With the WBC convention bringing stars like Terence Crawford, Katie Taylor, Roberto Durán and Julio César Chávez to Bangkok, this fight is more than just another defence. It’s pride for Venezuela. It’s pride for Thailand. Two pressure fighters, meeting head-on, with the WBC belt in the middle.
