After heavyweight and super middleweight duels, boxing knocks at strawweight’s doors. Tonight, at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, unified champion Oscar Collazo will defend his WBO, WBA, and The Ring titles from the Filipino contender Jayson Vayson. However, it goes without saying. Achievements of Collazo and fellow titleholders like Pedro Taduran and Melvin Jerusalem have largely flown under the radar. Is it because they fight in the sport’s bottommost weight class? For sure, their duels, especially ones featuring Collazo, are worth a look.

Back in February, eminent boxing insider Rick Glaser had a stark reminder for everyone. “If you’re viewing Boxing Top 10 P4P lists, & if WBO/WBA minimum weight champ Oscar Collazo isn’t on that list, please disregard that list!” he wrote, comparing Oscar Collazo‘s skills to that of Bam Rodriguez. Last year, Collazo defended his title three times – no mean feat. So six months after he knocked out Edwin Cano, the Puerto Rican star is back on a Golden Boy-DAZN card. Ahead of the nail-biting thriller, let’s check out a few details.

Predicting Collazo vs. Vayson: Who has better stats and record?

On paper, Veruela, Agusan del Sur-born Vayson, known to fans as ‘Striker,’ is more experienced. The 27-year-old made his debut nine years ago, on October 15, 2016. Over the years, he accumulated a decent 17-fight record, out of which he secured victories in 14 and suffered a loss in 1. Two of his professional bouts ended in a draw and a no-contest, respectively.

Considering that only eight of his wins were early stoppages, Jayson Vayson registers a competitive 57% KO rate.

28-year-old Oscar Collazo had his first fight on February 15, 2020. He has been steadily building his resume ever since, winning each fight, with most ending inside the distance. He has yet to face a defeat. Born in Newark, New Jersey, the hometown of Shakur Stevenson, Collazo knocked out 9 of his 12 opponents, thus boasting an impressive 75% knockout-to-win rate.

But it looks like experience is not the only department where Vayson seems to enjoy an edge.

Oscar Collazo vs. Jayson Vayson: Height, weight, reach comparison, and more

Standing at 5 feet and 4 inches, or 163 centimeters, the Filipino fighter is two inches taller than his Puerto Rican counterpart, who is 5 feet and 2 inches, or 157 centimeters, tall. Likewise, with a 66-inch or 168-centimeter reach, Jayson Vayson holds some advantage over Oscar Collazo, whose wingspan extends to 61 inches or 155 centimeters.

The results of the final weigh-ins are out. While Collazo weighed 104.6 pounds, Vayson tipped the scale at 104.4.

Fight prediction

Despite Jayson Vayson checking a few of the boxes, Oscar Collazo nonetheless remains a heavy favorite. According to an outlet, -1200 odds favor him against the underdog Vayson, who appears to have a 13% chance of winning.

Perhaps the confidence stems from Collazo’s dazzling form. Since 2023, barring the title defense against Gerardo Zapata, all his fights have ended either via knockouts or forced corner retirements. Vayson’s last two fights ended in knockout victories. However, the loss to Seigo Yuri Akui seems to perturb a few.

Not to forget, the fight is happening in California. So Collazo can count on the support of the Hispanic/Latino community in California.

As Rick Glaser described, Collazo is a practitioner of sublime techniques, ‘a smaller version of Bam Rodriguez.‘ So fans can expect him to break the visiting challenger’s rhythm. Aiming for the division’s remaining two belts held by Melvin Jerusalem (WBC) and Pedro Taduran (IBF), it’s important for Collazo, who is promoted by former champion and Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, to win.

For Jason Vayson, the WBO Asia Pacific light-flyweight and ABF flyweight titleholder, a win over a formidable champion like Oscar Collazo would catapult him to new boxing heights.

Do you think Vayson has the skills to dethrone Collazo?