Philippines, 12 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


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


PhilBoxing.com




Former WBA World Champ Luis Nica Concepcion (in blue shirt) shares a light moment with Cuban and Panamanian boxers seeing action in WBA KO to Drugs.

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.


WBA KO to Drugs Festival February 7 in 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 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 strap.

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.


Three WBA World Titles in play during KO to Drugs.

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.


The author Carlos Costa is a veteran Panamanian boxing reporter based in Asia. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and +639184538152.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Boxing trio reunited up there
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • 1st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Laurente to promote amateur boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
    , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
    , Thu, 07 May 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.