Philippines, 18 Apr 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:

  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • BEN WHITTAKER OPENS UP ON HIS AMERICAN DREAM, CALL-OUTS AND HEADLINING IN 'SPECIAL CITY' LIVERPOOL THIS SATURDAY – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IBA partners with Global Boxing Series for landmark fight night in Navi Mumbai
    , Thu, 16 Apr 2026
  • IM Arca finishes 2nd in Thailand Blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 Apr 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.