Panamanian female sports icon Nataly Delgado received WBA belt

In a special ceremony held at Acha Restaurant, one of the most luxurious and impressive in Panama City, Panamanian superstar and national heroine Nataly Delgado received the super flyweight world championship belt from Venezuelan Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association (WBA). Delgado won the title on June 13th in Orlando, Florida, by defeating American champion Jasmine Artiga.

Mendoza, a lawyer, motivator, and boxing leader who lived in Panama City years ago and considers himself Panamanian, commented emotionally, “We have one thing in common: we don't give up in the face of obstacles. I know what you've been through to become a world champion, and I wanted to travel to my beloved Panama to personally present you with this championship belt. You have achieved a feat for Panamanian boxing, and we hope you can defend it soon here in our country,” said Mendoza.

Mendoza, originally from Verguas, the ninth province of Panama and the birthplace of the great political, social, and sporting leader, former General Omar Torrijos Herrera, also dreamed, like him, under a mango tree, of achieving her dream of a world championship, just as Torrijos dreamed of returning the canal to his country.

At the ceremony, Nataly was accompanied by her husband and trainer, Julio Archibold, along with her representative, the renowned businessman Raúl Cortizo Cohen. Also present at the event were the late promoter Rogelio Espiño, the long-time star advisor of the WBA, José Oliver Gómez, the dynamic young Alfredo Mendoza, a candidate for WBA leadership, special guests, and members of the press from that country.