Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Nov 2025
Venezuelan WBC World Champion Carlos Cañizales was scheduled to arrive today, November 27, in Bangkok ahead of his title defense against Thai former champ Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF.”
Unfortunately, his trip to Thailand has been canceled. The reason is the difficulty in getting flights out of Venezuela due to the political tensions between Venezuela and the United States. Right now, a large number of flights in and out of Venezuela are being canceled or schedules disrupted, forcing the disappointed light flyweight world champion to stay home in Caracas.
In light of this, Cañizales himself posted the following message to the boxing family on his social media:
Translation from Spanish:
“Today I was happy because I was finally traveling to Thailand to defend my world title, but due to flight problems, we have decided not to fight, and I sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to my fight. God knows why He does things. 🙏🏼🙌”
Cañizales added:
“Unfortunately, we are no longer going to Thailand due to canceled flights. Everything got complicated here in Venezuela when it comes to leaving on flights. It's a complicated situation. I apologize to Don Mauricio Sulaiman. I am very sorry, and I am deeply saddened for not being able to fight on the card in Bangkok on December 4th.”
Plus:
“We are too far away to travel overland to Bogotá or Panama and fly to Thailand from those countries. God knows why He does things. We tried very hard. It wasn't possible. We have been trying to leave the country since Monday, and we haven't been able to. I am very sorry about this. I wanted to fight, but it wasn't possible.”
Could Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro himself help with this travel situation? Cañizales explains:
“No. In fact, we tried many things. But there's no time anymore. Because Thailand is far away. It's a two-day drive. We've already made the decision, and the fight won't happen. It will be another time, God willing. 🙏🙌"
Later on, Cañizales expanded in a letter to fans with even further with additional details:
“Important message for my people and the fans:
“I'm writing with news I didn't want to share. I was unable to travel for my first world title defense, scheduled for December 4th in Thailand.
“Since Monday, I've been struggling with the airlines. The initial flight was canceled, and they found us another option departing through Panama.
“Today, I was at the airport four hours early, but they wouldn't let me bring my essential luggage, only carry-on, so I couldn't board.
“The last option they offered was a very long journey with five flights via Colombia, which would have gotten me to Thailand after three nights of travel, arriving on the afternoon of the 29th.
“As a champion and a professional who respects this sport, I know these conditions are far from ideal. Such a forced trip with so many connections would prevent me from being 100% ready to put on the great show you and my opponent deserve.
“And I'm not going to risk my belt or my team because of a logistical problem.
“I'm making this decision, though it's extremely difficult, out of a sense of responsibility. I want to publicly apologize to President don Mauricio Sulaimán and the WBC for not fighting at their Convention.
“They know my commitment to the green and gold belt is absolute.
“I hope to secure a new date and arrive in top form to defend what is ours. Thank you for your unwavering support; we remain steadfast. 🇻🇪”
This is the Original in Spanish:
“Hoy estuve contento por que ya viajaba a Tailandia a defender mi título mundial, pero por problemas del vuelo, decidimos ya no pelear y le pido mil disculpas a todos lo que estaban pendientes de mi pelea. Dios sabe por que hace las cosas🙏🏼🙌”
Cañizales añadió:
“Lamentablemente, ya no vamos a ir a Tailandia por motivos de viajes cancelados. Todo se complico aquí para salir de Venezuela en vuelos. Es cosa complicada. Me disculpo con don Mauricio Sulaiman. Yo muy apenado, lamento mucho no poder pelear en la función en Bangkok el 4 de Diciembre.”
Además:
“Estamos muy lejos para ir por tierra Bogotá o Panamá para viajar a Tailandia desde esos países. Dios sabe por que hace las cosas. Se intento mucho. No se pudo. Desde el Lunes estamos tratando de salir del país, y no hemos podido. Lamento mucho esto. Yo quería pelear pero no se pudo.”
Podría el President Nicolas Maduro ayudar?
“No. De hecho, se intentaron muchas cosas. Pero ya no hay tiempo. Porque Tailandia está lejos. Son dos días para llegar allá. Ya tomamos la decision y no se va pelear. Será en otra oportunidad, con el favor De Dios. 🙏🙏
Mensaje importante para mi gente y la afición
Les escribo con una noticia que no quisiera darles. No pude viajar a mi primera defensa del título mundial, pautada para el 4 de diciembre en Tailandia
Desde el lunes he estado batallando con las aerolíneas. El vuelo inicial fue cancelado, nos buscaron otra opción saliendo por Panama, el día de hoy estuve en el aeropuerto 4 horas antes pero no me dejaban llevar mi equipaje esencial, solo de mano por lo cual no pude abordar y la última que me ofrecieron era una travesía larguísima de 5 vuelos vía Colombia, que me haría llegar a Tailandia después de 3 noches viajando el 29 en la tarde.
Como campeón y profesional que respeta este deporte, sé que esas condiciones no son las óptimas. Un viaje tan forzoso y con tantas conexiones me impediría estar al 100% para dar el gran espectáculo que merecen ustedes y mi rival. Y yo no voy a arriesgar mi cinturón ni a mi equipo por culpa de un problema de logística.
Tomo esta decisión, aunque es durísima, por responsabilidad. Quiero pedirle disculpas publicamente al Presidente Mauricio Sulaimán y al CMB por no pelear en el marco de su Convención. Saben que mi compromiso con el cinturón verde y oro es total.
Espero conseguir una nueva fecha y llegar en la mejor forma a defender lo que es nuestro. Gracias por su apoyo incondicional seguimos firmes.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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