Shokichi Iwata Could Meet Canizales After CP Freshmart Win
Call this one of the most satisfying moments in the career of Shokichi Iwata (16-2, 12 KOs) as he scored an eighth-round technical decision win over Knockout CP Freshmart (Thammanoon Niyomtrong) to capture the WBC (World Boxing Council) light flyweight title. Up next for Iwata could be a battle against former champion Carlos Canizales.
Fighting on home soil at the Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama, Iwata took control early and never let up. He used his footwork and combination punching to dominate the action. Freshmart (29-2, 11 KOs) showed little of the form that once made him a two-division world champion and one of the most successful fighters of the past decade. At age 35, it’s becoming clear that he has likely seen his best days. As for Iwata, he is now a two-time champion at 108 pounds.
Previously the WBC belt-holder, Canizales was scheduled to defend the title against Freshmart in December 2025. However, the bout was canceled due to a foreign air travel ban in his native Venezuela, and he was placed as champion in recess by the WBC. If all things are fair, the sanctioning body should order Canizales as the first title defense for Iwata.
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