Canoy-Collazo world title showdown cancelled

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Joey Canoy’s long-awaited world title shot against unified WBO and WBA minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico has been cancelled.

The Canoy-Collazo title fight was scheduled for June 20 (June 21, Manila time) at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, but was called off after Canoy encountered visa issues that prevented him from traveling to the United States.

Collazo will still remain on the fight card, with Mexican prospect Neider Valdez Aguilar stepping in as a late replacement in the DAZN-promoted event.

READ: Collazo skips Taduran, to face veteran Canoy in unified title defense

Canoy confirmed the cancellation on Wednesday, June 17, expressing disappointment but maintaining faith that another opportunity will come his way.

“Sa nag-aabang na laban ko ngayong June 20, cancelado po mga ka-idol. Laban lang, huwag panghinaan ng loob. May plano si God. Maraming salamat sa patuloy na pagsuporta at pagtitiwala sa akin,” Canoy wrote on social media.

(For those who have been anticipating for this June 20 fight to happen, it has been cancelled. But let’s not lose hope. God has a plan. Thank you for the continued support and trust)

The cancellation of the Canoy-Collazo world title fight has drawn frustration from Filipino boxing fans, many of whom believe Canoy had a legitimate chance to challenge Collazo, given his experience fighting overseas and his veteran status.

Canoy has previously competed in South Africa and Japan. However, tighter U.S. visa processes, along with the late confirmation of the fight venue, are seen as possible contributing factors to the setback.

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Both fighters share a common opponent in former WBC and WBO minimumweight champion Melvin Jerusalem. Canoy defeated Jerusalem in a non-title bout in Cebu in 2017, while Collazo dethroned Jerusalem of his WBO crown in 2023.

Canoy currently holds a 25-5-2 win-loss-draw record with 15 knockouts. He is the reigning WBC International minimumweight champion and is ranked No. 3 by the WBC, No. 5 by the WBO, and No. 9 by the IBF.

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