CARLOS Canizales is the new WBC light-flyweight champion after a thrilling fifth-round knockout win over Panya Pradabsri in El Poliedro, Caracas, Venezuela, last night. The hometown fighter was on top for most of the contest, save for a trip to the canvas in round four, roaring back to win world honours by stoppage.
Keen to take matters out of the judges’ hands, Canizales came out firing heavy hooks from the opening bell. Pradabsri tried to remain calm under pressure, sliding away from the bombs. Canizales looked much the bigger man, having clearly filled out into the weight.
Panya appeared to wobble slightly from a left hook at the close of the opener. If he was glad to escape that round, the second session brought scant respite even though Panya started with more authority, taking centre ring behind the jab.
He was soon back in reverse gear as Canizales increased the tempo once more. Heads clashed twice in the third as Pradabsri reeled into the corner, indicating for a doctor’s inspection that revealed no blood had been shed. The Thai was clearly rattled.
Things took a dramatic turn in the fourth when a Pradabsri right hand sent Canizales into the ropes as the referee dished out a count. Confidence restored, Canizales went back on the ascendancy.
The knockdown was merely a wake-up call as Pradabsri was forced into the corner and collapsed to the seat of his shorts from a whipping body blow. Battered, bruised and finished up, Pradabsri was counted out with 2-49 on the clock.
This bout was a rematch of their late 2024 clash in Bangkok, where Pradabsri emerged victorious by a contentious 12-round majority decision. Seeking to settle the score, there was no contention in this one as Canizales removed the verdict from the judges’ hands by force.
