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:
Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 31 May 2026Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 31 May 2026Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
Sun, 31 May 2026Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 May 2026Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 30 May 2026O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 May 2026WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
Sat, 30 May 2026FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 30 May 2026AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
Sat, 30 May 2026Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
Sat, 30 May 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 30 May 2026“While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
Sat, 30 May 2026