Whilst Gilberto Ramirez claimed the unified cruiserweight title against Chris Billam-Smith in the main-event of ‘Latino Night’ on Saturday, Oscar Collazo arguably delivered the performance of the night. Now, with additional eyes on ‘El Pupilo’, Collazo is hopeful of making history in the sport in the near future.
After debuting as a professional back in 2020, Collazo has risen through the minimumweight rankings and done so whilst gaining a reputation as one of the most exciting, aggressive fighters in the game.
In May 2023, a 6-0 Collazo jumped into a showdown with Melvin Jerusalem for the WBO minimumweight world title, forcing the Filipino to retire in the corner after enduring seven rounds against the hard-hitting 105lber and crowing Collazo as a world champion.
??Oscar Collazo beating up Melvin Jerusalem to win the WBO Minimumweight Title in 2023 pic.twitter.com/A2DBdy9xTw
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) November 14, 2024
Within 13 months, Collazo established himself as the poster boy of the minimumweight division with three additional title defences and was tasked with WBA title-holder Thammanoon Niyomtrong (25-0, more commonly known as Knockout CP Freshmart, in a rare minimumweight unification bout on Saturday night.
Ahead of their meeting, Niyomtrong was the longest reigning world champion in the sport, having defeated Byron Rojas for the belt in June 2016 and retaining it in 12 defences since.
However, Collazo was able to dominate proceedings and score an eye-catching seventh-round technical-knockout victory.
?? Vu que les trois derniers rounds mais confirmé une nouvelle fois : superbe boxeur. Oscar Collazo inflige à CP Freshmart sa première défaite et unifie les titres WBO-WBA pour devenir le premier champion The Ring à 105. Top 15 pound-for-pound pic.twitter.com/2yC3tnZqak
— Alexandre Herbinet (@LexaB) November 16, 2024
During the aftermath, Collazo revealed his intentions to become the first ever undisputed champion in minimumweight history, with no 105lber ever holding more than two belts at once, as per World Boxing News.
“I have a lot of respect for the reigning champion [Niyomtrong], but I am the king at 105 pounds now, and this title is for my beautiful island of Puerto Rico.”
“I’m putting the 105-pound division on notice,”
“I want all the belts. I’ve made history tonight, and I want to make history again by becoming the first undisputed champion from Puerto Rico.”
At present, Pedro Taduran (17-4-1) holds the IBF world title, whilst Collazo’s former opponent, Melvin Jerusalem (23-3), is in possession of the WBC strap, after they each dethroned the Shigeoka brothers (Ginjiro & Yudai) earlier this year.
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