Triple WBA World Title Rumble in "KO To Drugs" Festival in Panama

By Carlos Costa

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.

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 here 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 Title.

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.

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.