Philippines, 08 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Mexican Hernan "Tyson" Marquez is WBA fighter of year


PhilBoxing.com




PANAMA CITY, Panama - The World Boxing Association (WBA) held its 19th Annual Awards Dinner attended by over 40 champions and former champions who enjoyed the gala held at the plush Intercontinental Miramar Hotel in Panama City, Panama.

And the WBA annual wards went to:

Top honor Boxer of the Year was awarded to Mexican Hernan "Tyson" Marquez, WBA flyweight champion. "Tyson" Marquez will defend his world title against Filipino Rodel Mayol on March 24 in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.

First runner up as fighter of the year went to undefeated WBA light flyweight champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (30-0, 25KOs) of Nicaragua.

Best female fighter was for the beautiful undefeated light flyweight world champion "La Titu" Yessica Yolanda Bopp (19-0, 9KOs) of Argentina.

Best fight of the year was awarded to the first thrilling all out power combat between heavy sluggers Hernan "Tyson" Tyson and Luis "El Nica" Conception of Panama.

KO of the year was taken by undefeated WBA junior lightweight champ Takashi Uchiyama (18-0, 15KOs) of Japan, for his devastating knockout victory over Mexican former world champion Jorge "Coloradito" Solis last December 31 in Yokohama.

When Takashi Uchiyama in his first trip to Panama was announced as winner of the KO of the year, the confident tall Japanese world champion stood up and went to the podium to deliver his thank you speech in excellent Spanish which was celebrated by the astonished audience with a huge applause.

Hall-of-fame KO artist former super flyweight world champion Khaosay Galaxy (47-1 41KOs) of Thailand received a WBA award and was a special WBA guest of honor in Panama.

The Most Dramatic Fight of the year was the one starred by undefeated Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios (29-0-1, 22KOs) and Venezuela's Miguel "Aguacerito" Acosta for the WBA lightweight world title in February 2011 in Las Vegas. Rios prevailed by technical KO in the tenth round and is now scheduled to face dangerous undefeated Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16KOs) on April 14 in Las Vegas.

The Surprise of the year was the title fight between Mexican Hugo "El Increible" Cazares and Japanese Tomonubo Shimizu. In this fight in Tokyo, unheralded Shimizu captured the WBA super flyweight world title by split decision. Shimizu will unify the WBA super flyweight title against Tepparith Singwancha Abril 4 in Yokohama.

American ring announcer Jimmy Lennon received a special award from the WBA for his contributions to the sport of boxing.

Undefeated Venezuelan light welterweight figher Johan Perez (15-0-1, 12KOs) took the Prospect of the Year award.

Female World champion Jackie Navas of Mexico received her WBA super bantamweight belt during the gala. Navas, know as "La Princesa Azteca" won her WBA belt after defeating Panamanian former world champ Chantall Martinez.

In a special moment, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza handed a WBA belt to former world champion Jaime "Cieguito" Rios of Panama. Rios was WBA light flyweight champion from 1975-1976.

In addition, WBA replica belts were given to former champions Eusebio Pedroza, Jorge Lujan, Hilario Zapata, Alfonso Frazier, Ismael Laguna, Ernesto Marcel, Rafael Concepcion, Rcardo "El Maestrito" Cordoba, Alfonso Lopez, Enrique Pinder, Rigoberto Riasco and Ernesto Marcel among others.

Former world champions Donny Lalonde, John Ruiz, Ricky Hatton, Kahosai Galaxy, legendary trainer don Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain of Mexico, and judge Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa were among of the honorees.

Also, the WBA honored latina female world champions in attendance Hanna Gabriels of Costa Rica, Kina Malpartida of Peru and Jackie Navas of Mexico.

Also in attendance was Panamanian ring legend "Hands of Stone" Roberto Duran.

Other guests included former champion Amir Khan of England, as well as the three Panamanians current world champions Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno (bantamweight world champion), Guillermo "El Felino" Jones (cruserweight world champion) and Celestino "Pelenchin" Caballero (featherweight world champion).

Finally, undefeated featherweight super champion Chris John (46-0-2, 22KOs) of Indonesia was handed the prestigious WBA Fighter of the Decade award. John has been a continuous champion of he WBA since 2003 and is a current champion with 14 title defenses.

WBA's Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, thanked guests by saying "never before we had so many boxing celebrities brought together in one night for this type of event. I really thank everyone for coming."



Top photo: WBA fighter of the year Hernan "Tyson" Marquez of Mexico (L) with first runner up Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez during the WBA annual gala yesterday in Panama.




Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.