WBA belatedly recognizes Panamanian "Buchi" Amaya as honorary world champion after his death
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Feb 2025
The World Boxing Association (WBA) has posthumously honored former Panamanian challenger Antonio "Buchi" Amaya by declaring him an honorary world champion, recognizing his legacy and contributions to boxing following his passing on January 26 in Panama.
The resolution, signed by WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, highlights Amaya's significant impact on both Panamanian and global boxing. Amaya's professional career comprised 48 victories (10 by knockout), 22 defeats, and 7 draws. He is remembered for his memorable bouts against world champions such as Cuban-Mexican Ultiminio "Sugar" Ramos, and Japanese fighters Hiroshi Kobayashi and Kuniaki Shibata.
The WBA extended its condolences to Amaya's family and the Panamanian boxing community, expressing hope that this belated recognition will serve as inspiration for future generations of boxers from the Central American isthmus.
The resolution was emotionally read by local historian and communicator Daniel Alonso. Family, friends, and fans bid farewell to "Buchi" Amaya in his native Colón, celebrating his legacy with applause and cheers of "There is the champion." Colón, the birthplace of other sports legends such as Teofilo "Panama" Al Brown (the first Hispanic world boxing champion and IBHOF member), Ismael "El Tigre" Laguna (Hall of Fame in basketball), Irving Saladino (Panama's only Olympic gold medalist), Pedro "El Mago" Rivas (basketball legend), Guillermo Jones (former world boxing champion), and the Dely Valdes brothers—Armando, Julio, and Jorge (international soccer players)—is often regarded as one of the most overlooked and impoverished areas in the country.
It took nearly 55 years after his fights in Japan against Hiroshi Kobayashi for the WBA super featherweight world title to bestow this well-deserved posthumous tribute upon Amaya. The 1970s marked a golden era for Panamanian boxing, led by the late General Omar Torrijos Herrera, who also significantly supported the WBA. His efforts brought Panamanians Rodrigo Colon Sanchez and Elias Córdova (President for Life) to the organization's leadership. Following Torrijos's death in 1981, numerous Panamanian leaders continued to play prominent roles within the WBA, many of whom remain active in boxing today.
In the 1980s, the Military Government implemented a pension for world champions, providing B/300.00. According to Articles 75, 76, and 77 of Executive Decree No. 599 of November 20, 2008, which regulates Law 50 of December 10, 2007 (amending Law 16 of May 3, 1995, reorganizing PANDEPORTES), and Resolution No. 16-2009-D-G-A, this amount was increased to B/500.00.
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