Visa Problems Remove Canoy From Collazo Title Defense; Valdez Steps In
Tightened U.S. visa processing and a late venue confirmation forced a last-minute opponent change that kept the unified WBA, WBO and Ring belts on the scheduled card.
Overview
- Joey Canoy was unable to secure entry to the United States for fight week and was removed from the scheduled title fight, a change the WBO confirmed.
- Promoters Golden Boy and Miguel Cotto Promotions named Neider Valdez Aguilar as the short-notice replacement to face unified minimumweight champion Oscar Collazo.
- Valdez is a 25-year-old Mexican prospect from Monterrey with a 15-3-3 record and prior title experience after a December 2024 loss to Erick Rosa.
- The WBA, WBO and Ring magazine minimumweight titles remain on the line and DAZN will stream the Collazo fight as planned at Frontwave Arena.
- The switch highlights how visa delays and late venue confirmation can reshape lower-weight title fights, costing contenders a shot while forcing promoters to protect broadcast and belt obligations.