Even casual observers of Thailand’s boxing scene will likely recognize one of its most memorably named fighters: Knockout CP Freshmart.
Outside Thailand, it would seem unthinkable for a serious, world-class athlete to adopt a name part comic book, part convenience store. But in Thailand, it’s common for fighters to take on the names of their sponsors, gyms, or promoters. That’s why names like Sirimongkol and Chaloemporn Singwancha appear alike despite no familial ties, and why fighters’ surnames often read like brand endorsements—Tepparith Kokietgym or Veerapol Nakornluangpromotion, for example. Some even change gyms when sponsorships shift, giving rise to names such as Pongsaklek Five Star Grilled Chicken Gym.
CP Freshmart, a nationwide convenience store chain, has long backed top Thai fighters, including former two-weight champion Petchmanee CP Freshmart (Panya Pradabsiri) and ex-WBC strawweight king Oleydong (Sithsamerchai) CP Freshmart—alongside Knockout himself.
So how did “Knockout” become his first name?
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“I was a Muay Thai fighter before boxing,” he explains. “I scored most of my knockouts with punches, so my promoter said I should switch to boxing. When I started, I changed my name to Knockout. In Muay Thai, I fought under the name Newlukrak.”
Officially, BoxRec lists him as Thammanoon Niyomtrong, the name used for his biggest televised international bouts against Alex Winwood in Australia and Oscar Collazo in Saudi Arabia. But to friends and fans, he prefers “Noon,” a shorthand that’s easier to use—especially when he wins on points more often than by knockout. In fact, Noon’s 28-1 record features 17 decision wins versus 11 stoppages, making his “Knockout” nickname something of an oxymoron.
Yet statistics can be misleading. Noon’s 38% knockout rate reflects not a lack of power, but the elite level at which he’s consistently competed. Nearly all his fights have been for recognized titles, including 14 for the world strawweight championship (18 if counting interim belts). Until his November defeat to Collazo, Noon held the distinction of being the longest-reigning world champion in all of boxing—a record he is rightly proud of.
“It felt great destroying Khaosai’s record,” he says, referring to Khaosai Galaxy, widely regarded as Thailand’s greatest boxer. While Khaosai’s WBA super-flyweight reign lasted seven years and one month, Noon’s run with the strawweight belt spanned eight years and four months. Though Khaosai made 19 defenses to Noon’s 12, and had a period of inactivity, Noon views the achievement as a crowning moment of Thai boxing history.
“I’m famous to a point, but not as famous as Khaosai,” he admits. “After all, he’s a singer and an actor.”
Unlike Khaosai, Noon avoids celebrity life. He is quiet, reserved, and serious—his rare smiles appearing only when reflecting on standout victories, like his July 2022 unanimous decision over fellow Thai legend Wanheng Meenayothin. That bout represented a symbolic passing of the torch: Noon had been WBA champion since 2016, Wanheng WBC champ since 2014, and the pandemic finally forced the two to clash.
Noon’s long reign ended in a WBA/WBO unification loss to Oscar Collazo in Riyadh last November. He admits the defeat was decisive, but he takes responsibility:
“Nothing went wrong against Collazo. He just made it so I couldn’t follow my strategy. Congratulations to him—he won with greater accuracy and speed. No excuses.”
Now, Noon is preparing for a comeback, moving up a division to challenge WBC light-flyweight champion Carlos Canizales in Bangkok on December 4. Canizales is familiar to Thai fans from two fights with Panya Pradabsiri—one controversial decision in Bangkok, one emphatic knockout in Caracas.
Noon sees opportunity where others might see risk.
“He wants to prove he can win anywhere,” he says of Canizales, referring to the Venezuelan’s willingness to return to Thailand despite prior controversy. “I’ll take the matter out of the judges’ hands. My strategy is precise: land clean, clear punches with power. Canizales leaves himself open, and I can capitalize.”
Noon’s coach, former world flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul, agrees. He recalls the fourth-round counter that floored Canizales in Panya’s rematch and believes Noon can replicate—and improve on—that moment.
“Petchmanee [Panya] was on the way out. But Noon still has energy, power, and readiness. Canizales is strong, but we’ve learned from the past. Noon can win.”
Whether by name, method, or both, the prediction is clear: Knockout lives up to his title.
