THAMMANOON Niyomtrong successfully defended his WBA minimumweight title with a close majority decision victory over Alex Winwood in Perth, Australia. Niyomtrong, also known as Knockout CP Freshmart, had been the titleholder since 2016 but had not competed in over two years.
The judges scored the fight 113-113 and 114-112 twice in favor of Niyomtrong. Winwood was knocked down twice during the match, which ultimately proved to be costly for him.
At the start of the match, Winwood appeared confident and relaxed, using a smooth left jab to control the boxing distance. Niyomtrong, just days away from turning 34 and coming off a 26-month hiatus from the ring, tried to find his rhythm as Winwood consistently feinted to control the pace of the fight.
In round three, Niyomtrong landed a left hook that caused swelling around Winwood’s right eye, and in round four, Winwood seemed to hit the canvas after being struck with a big left hook. While the referee ruled it a slip, replays indicated it was a legitimate knockdown.
As the fight progressed, Niyomtrong began to find his range, though Winwood displayed quick hand speed and targeted both the head and body. Despite a closely contested battle, Niyomtrong’s punching power seemed to give him the edge and shift the momentum in his favor.
In the seventh round, Winwood was knocked down heavily by a combination ending with a short right hand. He stumbled to the canvas two more times, showing signs of exhaustion and damage to his eyes but managing to survive the round.
Between rounds, Winwood’s corner attempted to buy him time by applying ice, allowing him to move and box in the eighth. However, he was knocked down again in the ninth by a left hand.
Although Winwood received support from the Australian crowd for his efforts, Niyomtrong’s ability to block and dodge many of his punches, combined with his heavier hitting power, secured the victory for the Thai champion.
“I took a risk in only my fifth fight. I want another chance!” Winwood exclaimed. “This is not the end for me. I have the best team, and we want to keep showcasing great boxing.”
Niyomtrong’s record now stands at 25-0 (9 KOs), while Winwood’s record is 4-1 (2 KOs).
