Carlos Cañizales gets revenge over Panya Pradabsri with fifth-round KO for junior flyweight title

Carlos Cañizales knocked out Panya Pradabsri with a murderous body shot in round five of their rematch, winning the WBC junior flyweight title. Victory was so sweet, he fell to his knees and cried as his team embraced him in front of his hometown crowd at El Poliedro in Caracas, Venezuela.

The first fight ended in a majority decision win for Pradabsri on Dec. 26 at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok. This time, both 108-pounders wasted no time in firing lead, but Cañizales landed more power punches early. The action-packed pace continued in the second interval as both of their gas tanks were well supplied, but Cañizales dictated the terms, walking his foe down to the ropes.

A couple of head clashes dazed Pradabsri in round three, causing a brief timeout as the ring doctor looked him over. Action subsequently resumed with a bar brawl in the middle of the ring.

Despite Cañizales’ early edge, Pradabsri’s thumping overhand right launched him to the ropes and lowered him to one knee for the first knockdown, coming in the fourth. 

The Venezuelan wasn’t hurt much and regained his form not even a minute later with hooks, jabs, and a short right hand to the midsection.

In the fifth, Cañizales’ two crushing hard rights stunned Pradabsri, then a couple more combinations broke the guard as the relentless pressure began to overwhelm the Thai champion as they maneuvered to the corner.  Cañizales cut off Pradabsri’s escape and connected on short right hand as devastating as a cannonball breaking through a hull. Pradabsri (44-3) tried to withstand the agony but sunk into the corner two seconds later, ending the fight.

While carrying his belt over his right shoulder, Cañizales thanked God, Venezuelan supporters, family and president Nicolás Maduro in Spanish. “I knew I was doing damage with my punches…”