This Sunday night the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs Festival took place on the first day of the Centennial Convention at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
The card, organized by Boxlab Promotions, featured more than 15 action-packed fights and could be seen in the United States on the CBS network. The event was preceded by the opening ceremony, which was attended by several of the special guests of the 100th anniversary celebration.
Bernard Hopkins, Kina Malpartida, Jelena Mrdjenovich, Nonito Donaire, Hyun Mi Choi, Franchón Crews Dezurn, Fernando Vargas, Cecilia Comunales, David Morrell, Lasana Béa Diallo, among other great figures, were in the ring for the emotional act in which President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza gave a great opening speech.
Malpartida and Hopkins also gave a few words in front of the crowd in the hall. They spoke of the importance of the WBA’s centennial and the body’s historical relationship with the fighters.
The event was full of action and had some good WBA regional title fights, with the likes of Sergio Martinez and Orestes Velazquez in attendance.