Thammanoon Niyomtrong finally lived up to his "Knockout CP Freshmart" ring moniker.

The unbeaten WBA strawweight title from Surin, Thailand registered his ninth successful defense of the crown following a third-round technical knockout win over countryman Siridech Deebook. The 5'1" Niyomtrong dropped the considerably taller Deebook in round two and twice in round three, the last of which prompted an immediate stoppage Tuesday evening in Buriram, Thailand.

Niyomtrong had not fought since the pandemic, with his title defense versus Deebook delayed due to a Covid-related state of emergency in Thailand. The two were due to collide May 29, only for the event to get shut down during fight week. 

The postponement along with the four-plus months it took to reschedule left Niyomtrong out of the ring since a twelve-round decision win over Japan's Norihito Tanaka last March in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. Even with the 21-month inactive stretch, Niyomtrong didn't show any evident signs of ring rust. The unbeaten titlist immediately went to work with his jab, the force of which drove back Deebook in the opening round. 

Niyomtrong had little trouble with his overmatched challenger, though was presented with a rare moment of adversity. Deebook's roughhouse tactics produced a sizeable cut over the defending titlist's right eye, though never proving to be a factor in the fight. Niyomtrong scored the first knockdown moments later, depositing Deebook onto the canvas courtesy of a left hook. 

The power surge continued in round three, with Niyomtrong eager to close the show. Deebook did his best to make the fight as ugly as possible, though neither his efforts nor considerable height and reach advantage made a difference in the fight.

Niyomtrong stunned his challenger with a double left hook to the top of Deebook's rib cage. The sequence was later followed by a stiff jab to send Deebook to the canvas. The first-time title challenger once again beat the count, only to be willed to the deck for a third time courtesy of left hooks and overhand rights. Referee Pinit Prayadsab had seen enough by that point, immediately halting the contest. 

The stoppage is the first for Niyomtrong (22-0, 8KOs) since March 2017, scoring two knockdowns in a fifth round stoppage of Go Odaira. It was the lone title fight to not go to the scorecards for Niyomtrong prior to Tuesday, who has been extended the twelve-round distance seven times during that stretch along with a technical decision win over ArAr Andales that ended on a cut inside of eight rounds. 

Tuesday's win affirms Niyomtrong's place atop the strawweight division. The topic was no longer up for debate once countryman and close friend Wanheng Menayothin (birth name Chayaphon Moonsri) saw his lengthy WBC title reign end following a 12-round loss to Panya Pradabsri (36-1, 23KOs) last November in Sawan, Thailand. Pradabsri also appeared on Tuesday's show, albeit in an exhibition bout complete with headgear. 

Niyomtrong has reigned as the WBA strawweight champ since a decision win over Nicaragua's Byron Rojas in their June 2016 title consolidation clash. Niyomtrong previously held an interim version of the title before upgrading the strap which he would later defend in a repeat win over Rojas in November 2018.

The show aired live on True4U Channel 24 in Thailand and on globally on the station's website. 

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox