Triple WBA World Title Rumble in "KO To Drugs" Festival in Panama
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Jan 2020
Former WBA World Champ Luis Nica Concepcion (in blue shirt) shares a light moment with Cuban and Panamanian boxers seeing action in WBA KO to Drugs.
PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Three WBA world title fights are featured in this year's "WBA KO to Drugs" festival, the association's annual boxing show aimed at entertaining fight fans while keeping drugs away from sports and society.
During the event's presentation presser, the WBA President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza confirmed that the much awaited world title card will take place Friday, February 7, at the Roberto Duran Arena here in Panama City, Panama.
WBA KO to Drugs Festival February 7 in Panama.
In one of the hot title clashes, Panamanian slugger former flyweight world champion Luis "Nica" Concepcion (39-8, 27 KO's) collides against Venezuelan WBA # 4 Rober Barrera (23-2, 13 KO's) for the vacant WBA interim Flyweight World Strap. The victorious could face the winner of the WBA title match between Artem Dalakian vs Josber Perez, unfolding February 8 in Ukraine.
In another intriguing rumble, unbeaten WBA # 1 light flyweight contender Daniel Matellon (10-0, 6 KO's) from Havana, Cuba, battles tough WBA # 3 Erik Omar Lopez (14-4, 10 KO) of Guadalajara, Mexico, for the vacant WBA Light Flyweight World belt. The winner could be an opponent for undefeated WBA Super Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0, 9 KO's).
In women's action, unbeaten Panamanian warrior-lady Laura Ledezma (14-0, 7 KO's) clashes against experienced Venezuelan former world-title challenger Mayerlyn "La Monita" Rivas (15-4-2, 10 KO's) for the vacant WBA Super Bantamweight World strap.
In addition, WBA # 6 minimumweight fighter Carlos Ortega of Panama faces Nicaraguan WBA #2 Leyman Benavidez in a crucial twelve-round battle that none of the two warriors can afford to lose.
Three WBA World Titles in play during KO to Drugs.
Moreover, undefeated 25-year-old Cuban bantamweight Leosdan Nuñez (10-0, 4 KO's) locks horns against Javier Martinez (12-3, 6 KO's) of Colombia.
Also, hard-swinging WBA # 5 featherweight Bryan "La Roca" De Gracia (25-2-1, 21 KO's) engages tough Nicaraguan warrior Freddy Lainez (5-1, 4 KO's).
Moreover, in a battle of heavy punchers, unbeaten 23-year-old super bantamweight Rafael Pedroza (9-0, 8 KO's) of Panama fights more-experienced Jose Perez (18-3, 15 KO's) of Nicaragua, a thrilling melee that might not make the distance.
More fights are lined-up to thrill fans in attendance. "WBA KO to Drugs" February 7 at the Roberto Duran Arena in Panama is a production of award-winning promoter Rogelio Espiño.
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran Panamanian boxing reporter based in Asia. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mama ready to facer Ayala in Mexico
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 13 May 2026Demecillo to fight undefeated Martin on May 16
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 13 May 2026‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card to feature Pro Boxing & Sports Entertainment Experience this Saturday in Quincy (MA)
Wed, 13 May 2026Oberio, Bernardino, Talaboc power QC past Isabela in PCAP chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 13 May 2026WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 12 May 2026Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
Tue, 12 May 2026Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
Tue, 12 May 2026Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 11 May 2026The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 11 May 2026Boxing trio reunited up there
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 11 May 20261st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 11 May 2026Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 10 May 2026Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 10 May 2026Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 10 May 2026