Oscar Collazo (boxer)

Last updated

Oscar Collazo
Personal information
Nickname(s)
El Pupilo
("The Ward")
BornOscar Manuel Collazo
(1997-01-15) January 15, 1997 (age 28)
Height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)
Weight Mini flyweight
Boxing career
Reach61 in (155 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights13
Wins13
Win by KO10
Medal record
Men's Amateur boxing
Representing Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Lima Light Flyweight
Pan American Championship
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2017 TegucigalpaLight Flyweight

Oscar Manuel Collazo (born January 15, 1997) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer and unified mini flyweight champion who has held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini flyweight title since May 2023 and the World Boxing Association WBA (Super version) and Ring magazine titles since November 2024.

Contents

Amateur career

During his seven-year amateur career, Collazo won five national amateur boxing titles, the bronze medal the 2017 Panamerican Championships and the gold medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. [1] [2] [3]

Professional career

Early career

Collazo made his professional debut as a light flyweight against Vicente Castro Cheneque on 15 February 2020. [4] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. [5] Collazo was next booked to face Kevin John Cruz Jusino on 5 December 2020. [6] He won his second professional bout a round quicker than his first, as he won the fight by a second-round technical knockout. [7]

Collazo moved up to flyweight for his next bout, against Francisco Bonilla on 25 March 2021, on the Amanda Serrano vs. Daniela Romina Bermúdez undercard. [8] He won the fight by a career-first unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 60–54 in his favor. [9] Collazo moved down to mini flyweight to face Pedro Villegas for the vacant WBO Latino minimumweight title on 3 December 2021. [10] He won the fight by a third-round technical knockout. [11]

Rise up the ranks

Collazo faced the former WBO and WBA (Regular) mini-flyweight champion Vic Saludar in a WBA mini-flyweight title eliminator. The fight was booked for the undercard of the Javier Fortuna lightweight bout, which took place on July 16, 2022. [12] Collazo won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 116–112 and one scorecard of 118–110. Both fighters were knocked down in the sixth round, Saludar with a two-punch combination and Collazo with a right uppercut. [13]

Collazo was expected to face the former WBO mini flyweight titlist Wilfredo Méndez in a WBO mini-flyweight title eliminator on January 28, 2023, on the undercard of the Alexis Rocha and Anthony Young welterweight bout, which took place at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California. [14] Méndez was forced to withdraw from the bout on January 15, due to a back injury sustained in training. He was replaced by Yudel Reyes, who stepped in at two-weeks notice. [15] Collazo stopped his opponent with a left hook at the 2:59 minute mark of the fifth round. He had knocked Reyes down with a right hook in the previous round. [16]

WBO mini flyweight champion

Collazo vs. Jerusalem

On January 30, 2023, the WBO ordered their mini-flyweight champion Melvin Jerusalem make a mandatory title defense against Collazo. [17] As they failed to reach a deal within the 30-day negotiation period, the sanctioning body scheduled a purse bid for February 23. [18] It was declared deserted for failure to comply with purse bid terms, rescheduled for February 27, [19] and eventually won by Golden Boy Promotions and Cotto Promotions with a bid of $152,000. [20] The championship bout took place at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California on May 27, 2023. [21] Collazo won the fight by stoppage in the seventh round, as Jerusalem remained on his stool at the start of the eighth round. He became the fastest fighter from Puerto Rico to win a world title belt, overtaking Alex Sánchez who captured his first title 11 fights into his professional career. [22]

Collazo vs. Diagan

Collazo made a voluntary championship defense against the ninth-ranked WBO mini-flyweight contender Garen Diagan, who was making his first world title challenge, on August 26, 2023, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. [23] [24] It was the first men's world title fight in Puerto Rico in six years and Collazo's first fight in his home country since 2021. The bout was broadcast worldwide by DAZN. [25] [26] Collazo won the fight by a seventh-round technical knockout, as Diagan's corner chose to withdraw their fighter from the contest in between the rounds. [27] He was ahead on all three of the judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage, with two scorecards of 60—54 and one scorecard of 58—56 in his favor. [28]

Collazo vs. Gutierrez

On December 30, 2023, it was announced that Collazo would make his second WBO mini-flyweight championship defense against an unnamed opponent on the undercard of the Jaime Munguia and John Ryder super middleweight bout, which is expected to take place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on January 27, 2024. [29] On January 17, 2024, it was confirmed that Collazo would face Reyneris Gutierrez. [30]

On Saturday January 27, 2024, Collazo defeated Gutierrez via third-round TKO and made the second successful defense of his belt. [31]

Collazo vs. Zapata

Collazo was scheduled to make the third defense of his WBO minimumweight title against Gerardo Zapata in Verona, New York on June 7, 2024. [32] Collazo won the fight by unanimous decision with the scores 117-110, 119-109 and 119-109. [33]

Unified WBO & WBA minimumweight championship

Collazo vs. Knockout CP Freshmart

Collazo faced Knockout CP Freshmart for the unified WBO, WBA and the inaugural symbolistic The Ring minimumweight titles on November 16, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [34] [35] [36] He won the bout by stoppage in the seventh round. [37] [38]

Collazo vs. Cano

Collazo is scheduled to defend his unified WBO and WBA minimumweight titles against Edwin Cano in Cancun, Mexico on March 29, 2025. [39] Following the win, he received the WBO ring, which is given to titleholders, who make five successive defences. Collazo stated this was one of his goals when he first won the WBO title. [40]

On May 23, 2025, Collazo said he was open to having a rematch with Melvin Jerusalem, who had called Collazo out after winning his recent bout. Jerusalem had also picked up the WBC belt since his loss to Collazo in 2023. [41]

Collazo vs. Vayson

On August 10, 2025 Golden Boy Promotions announced a double header to take place on September 20 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California on DAZN. Collazo was set to defend his titles against Filipino boxer Jayson Vayson (14-1-1, 8 KOs). [42] Vayson was on a four-fight win, with three of them inside the distance. Speaking ahead of the fight, Collazo said, “We will enter the ring very prepared, with a lot of boxing IQ. We know Vayson is a great fighter and that he will be hungry to dethrone me, but he won’t be able to, because I have worked hard to defend what is mine and represent my island with pride.” [43] [44]

Despite the fight being more challenging than anticipated, Collazo successfully defended his titles with a seventh-round stoppage, with some controversy. [45] Collazo scored a controversial first-round knockdown, which replays indicated was due to a forearm rather than a clean punch. Vayson’s body shots caused Collazo trouble, particularly in the fourth round. In the sixth round, Collazo increased his pressure, landed combinations, pushing Vayson against the ropes. He continued this into the next round. Despite Vayson appearing able to continue, his corner unexpectedly threw in the towel at 1:41 of the seventh round, resulting in a technical knockout for Collazo. Despite being pressed against the ropes and absorbing significant shots, Vayson showed resilience and effective counterpunching throughout the fight. At the time of stoppage, all three judges had it 59-54 for Collazo. [46] [47] [48] The stoppage was widely debated. Many observers noted that Vayson seemed able to continue and was still competitive, leading to criticism of his corner for ending the fight prematurely. Vayson felt that he was capable of carrying on but respected his corner’s decision. [49] [50]

After the fight, he spoke to Chris Mannix, stating his main goal was to add more titles at the weight, however would not rule out a move up to flyweight and challenge WBA & WBC champion Ricardo Sandoval. His focus was to become the first male Puerto Rican undisputed champion. [51] [52]

Professional boxing record

13 fights13 wins0 losses
By knockout100
By decision30
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
13Win13–0 Jayson Vayson TKO7 (12), 1:41Sep 20, 2025 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Retained WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring mini flyweight titles
12Win12–0Edwin CanoKO5 (12), 1:12Mar 29, 2025 Polifórum Benito Juárez, Cancún, MexicoRetained WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring mini flyweight titles
11Win11–0 Knockout CP Freshmart TKO7 (12), 1:29Nov 16, 2024The Venue Riyadh Season, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaRetained WBO mini flyweight title;
Won WBA (Super) and inaugural The Ring mini flyweight titles
10Win10–0Gerardo ZapataUD12Jun 7, 2024 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Retained WBO mini flyweight title
9Win9–0Reyneris GutierrezTKO3 (12), 2:37Jan 28, 2024 Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.Retained WBO mini flyweight title
8Win8–0Garen DiaganRTD6 (12), 3:00Aug 26, 2023 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoRetained WBO mini flyweight title
7Win7–0 Melvin Jerusalem RTD7 (12), 3:00May 27, 2023 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Won WBO mini flyweight title
6Win6–0Yudel ReyesKO5 (12), 2:59Jan 28, 2023 YouTube Theater, Inglewood, California, U.S.
5Win5–0 Vic Saludar UD12Jul 16, 2022 Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
4Win4–0Pedro VillegasTKO3 (10), 2:47Dec 3, 2021Los Andes Mall, Panama City, PanamaWon vacant WBO Latino mini flyweight title
3Win3–0Francisco BonillaUD6Mar 25, 2021 Plaza del Quinto Centenario, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2Win2–0Kevin John Cruz JusinoTKO2 (6), 1:43Dec 5, 2020Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla, San Juan, Puerto Rico
1Win1–0Vicente Castro ChenequeTKO3 (6), 1:53Feb 15, 2020Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla, San Juan, Puerto Rico

See also

References

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  2. Anaya, Rosember (August 3, 2019). "Yuberjen pierde el oro en los Panamericanos". elheraldo.co. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. Wainwright, Anson (November 29, 2021). "New Faces: Oscar Collazo". ringtv.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  4. Primera Hora (February 14, 2020). "En peso Carlos 'Purín' Caraballo y Oscar Collazo". primerahora.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  5. Redacción Voces del Sur (February 16, 2020). "Contundente debut para el púgil villalbeño Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo". vocesdelsurpr.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.[ dead link ]
  6. O'Hara, Ryan (December 4, 2020). "Named after 'the golden boy,' Oscar Collazo wants to make his own legacy". ringtv.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  7. Boxingscene Staff (December 5, 2020). "Danielito Zorrilla, Oscar Collazo Get Knockout Wins in Puerto Rico". boxingscene.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  8. Miguel Cotto Promociones (March 24, 2021). "Carlos Caraballo – Oscar Collazo / A demostrar sus talentos sobre el ring". boxeomundial.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  9. "BRILLAN AMANDA SERRANO, 'PURIN' CARABALLO, 'EL PUPILO' COLLAZO Y ARELY MUCIÑO EN EL VIEJO SAN JUAN". promocionesmiguelcotto.com. March 26, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
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  34. Donovan, Jake (September 25, 2024). "Oscar Collazo-Thammanoon Niyomtrong RING Strawweight Championship Set, Nov. 16 in Riyadh". The Ring.
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  40. "Oscar Collazo Receives WBO Ring For Five Successful Title Defenses". RingMagazine.com. April 9, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  41. "Oscar Collazo Wants Melvin Jerusalem Rematch, Hints At Move To Junior Flyweight". RingMagazine.com. May 23, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  42. Stumberg, Patrick (August 11, 2025). "Oscar Collazo and Gabriela Fundora lead September 20th Golden Boy show in Indio". Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  43. "Oscar Collazo, Gabriela Fundora to star in Sept. 20 doubleheader in Indio, California". RingMagazine.com. August 11, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  44. "Oscar Collazo, Gabriela Fundora star in September 20 doubleheader". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  45. "Collazo retains titles after unexpected stoppage". ESPN.com. September 21, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  46. Crose, Sean (September 20, 2025). "Oscar Collazo Stops Jayson Vayson In Very Strange Affair". Boxing Insider. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  47. "Oscar Collazo Retains Ring, Unified Titles After Bizarre Jayson Vayson Stoppage". RingMagazine.com. September 21, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  48. "Oscar Collazo holds off Jayson Vayson to defend minimumweight belts". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  49. "Oscar Collazo Retains Strawweight Crown After Jayson Vayson's Corner Throws In Towel - Collazo Vs. Vayson Highlights". www.lowkickmma.com. September 20, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  50. "Jayson Vayson's under-fire team stand by divisive stoppage". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  51. "Oscar Collazo Open To Moving Up To Face Flyweight Champ Ricardo Sandoval". RingMagazine.com. September 21, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  52. "Oscar Collazo wants to be the first Puerto Rican male undisputed champion". RingMagazine.com. November 16, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.