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:
World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025DAY TWO: STARBOY MANAS STEALS THE SHOW AS TEAM ASIA EXTENDS PERFECT RUN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS INTRODUCES CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT TONY COHEN
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Joseph Subia Signs with Wise Owl Boxing
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Sirimongkhol, Midgley Make Weight for WBF World Title in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 17 Oct 2025ICTSI South Pacific on Oct. 28-31
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Oct 2025