Orlando, FL (December 6, 2023) – On Friday evening, three of Boxlab Promotions’ prized prospects, Idalberto Umara, Kevin Hayler Brown & Jeovanny Estela will appear in separate bouts during the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs Night of Champions fight card.
The card kicks off the WBA’s 102nd annual convention takes places for a second consecutive year at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL.
Tickets from $40 are on sale at Ticketmaster.com under WBA KO Drugs. Umara-Macayo, Brown-Jimenez and Estela-Elizalde air live on DAZN at 8 PM ET. Doors open at 5:30 and the first fight takes place at 6.
In 2023, the trio is a combined 7-0 with 4 wins by knockout. Notable wins this year include Estela defeating 9-0 Christopher Thompson via unanimous decision, and Umara’s sensational one-punch knockout of William Encarnacion.
Umara, a native of Cuba fighting out of Miami, FL, challenges 16-1 Venezuelan Fradimil Macayo for the WBA Fedelatin lightweight title in the ten round main event. Collectively, they’ve won 26 straight fights and 21 by knockout.
The 22-year-old Umara recognizes the significance of impressing on a big stage and is supremely confident heading into Friday night.
“I don’t know much about Macayo outside of him facing some top Cubans in the amateurs. Everything I do in the ring comes from hard work in training camp plus of course my boxing ability. Everything I’ve achieved in boxing’s been obtained through hard work, dedication and focus. I’m going to continue this path, with the main objective being to win a world title. A big step towards fighting for a world title is defeating Macayo for the Fedelatin title.”
Junior welterweight phenom Kevin Hayler Brown of Las Vegas, NV by way of Cuba battles rugged veteran Marcos Leonardo Jimenez of the Dominican Republic in a ten rounder for the WBA Continental Americas title. The highly- touted Brown is 3-0 with 2 KO’s and is regarded among boxing’s best rising stars.
“I am focused on this fight and want to thank Boxlab Promotions and Warriors Boxing for this great opportunity on a big platform,” said Brown, who many insiders believe is on the fast track to a world title. I’m going to showcase my skills and defend the Continental Americas title Friday evening. 2024 is going to be a big year for myself and my team. I know great things are coming!”
Popular junior middleweight Jeovanny “El Rayo” Estela of Orlando faces Mexican knockout artist Juan Egana Elizalde, 11-2 (11 KO’s), in an eight-round bout. Estela’s 13-0 with 4 KO’s and looks to finish a breakout 2023 in style.
“This has been a fantastic year and we’ve made a lot of progress,” said Estela, who’s won all three of his 2023 fights in dominant fashion. People around the world are starting to recognize me as a fighter on the rise. Against Elizalde, we’re going to show more progress and get another dominant win, whether it’s by decision or knockout.”
“It’s great to be able to feature some of our top rising stars on the WBA Card,” said Amaury Piedra of Boxlab Promotions. “While Jeovanny, Idalberto, and Kevin each have their own style all three of these young fighters are just starting to hit their stride and we expect great performances from each of them as we head into what will be a breakout 2024 for this group!”
The undercard features two WBA regional title fights and boxers competing from across the world.
In a bout where somebody’s 0 must go, Euri Cedeno of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic puts his 7-0 record on the line against 13-0 Cuban Yoanki Urrutia in an eight-round middleweight contest.
Super bantamweight Israel Rodrigez Picazo, 29-5 (19 KO’s), of Mexico City, Mexico faces Colombia’s Wilner Soto, 23-13 (12 KO’s), in a ten-round bout for the WBA Continental title.
Junior welterweight Aaron Aponte, 7-1-1 (6 KO’s) of Hialeah, FL squares off against 32 fight veteran Roberto Almazan Monreal of Mexico in a six rounder.
Venezuela’s Leonardo Padilla, 23-5 (16 KO’s), battles New Orleans native Jeremy Hill, 19-3 (12 KO’s) for the WBA Continental Latin American title. Padilla-Hill is scheduled for ten rounds.
Middleweight Etoundi Michael William of Brazil puts his 14-0 record on the line against Dormedes Potes, 14-4-1 (10 KO’s), of Colombia in an eight-round contest.
Orlando’s Jean Guerra Vargas, 6-0 (1 KO, returns to the ring against Colorado Springs, CO’s Pedro Hernandez in a four round junior lightweight matchup.
Abass Baraou, 13-1 (9 KO’s), of Germany challenges Miami based Cuban Hugo Noriega, 9-1 (5 KO’s), in a junior middleweight bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Undefeated Nigerian bantamweight Opeyemi Adeyemi, 9-0-1 (7 KO’s), will face Fort Lauderdale, FL’s Jason Vera, 5-9 (3 KO’s), over six rounds