The 39th edition of WBA KO Drugs will take place over two days at Casino Buenos Aires in Argentina on June 9 and 10. TyC Sports will broadcast both shows live in Argentina, while DAZN will broadcast the June 10 show internationally.
During the Friday show, six fights are scheduled, including Jose Matias Romero versus Rene Tellez Giron, in which Joseph Matias Romero tops the bill at junior lightweight. Meanwhile, Ivan Dychko, a previous heavyweight amateur standout, faces Ariel Esteban Bracamonte, and Dominique Frances, an American featherweight, meets Braian Arguello.
Additionally, Ramon Quiroga meets Afolabi Shittu at junior bantamweight, Noel Cepeda takes on Eliu Canario at junior featherweight, and Gabriel Diaz collides with Robert Daniels Jr. at super middleweight.
The Saturday offering will showcase five more fights, including an intriguing matchup between Ring-rated junior flyweights Daniel Matellon and Carlos Canizales. Furthermore, Mayerlin Rivas will defend her WBA junior featherweight title against Nazarena Romero, and Franciso Veron will face fellow unbeaten Timor Kerefov at middleweight.
Additionally, Brian Arregui will take on once-beaten Mexican Diego Carmona at junior middleweight, and Lucia Perez will fight vastly more experienced Marisa Portillo at welterweight to round out the undercard.
Jose Matias Romero (26-3, 9 knockouts), aged 27, won his first 24 fights, of which all but one took place in South America. The fighter claimed the national 130-pound title; however, when he stepped up in class in America to participate in lightweight contests, his form dropped off, and he subsequently lost to Isaac Cruz (UD 12) and Michel Rivera (UD 10). In his most recent outing, he dropped to 126-pounds and was stopped by Robeisy Ramirez (TKO 9).
Rene Tellez Giron (17-2, 11 KOs), at the young age of 24, turned professional in his native Mexico when he was just 16. He upset previously unbeaten Aram Faniian (UD 10) in Ukraine but later lost his unbeaten record to Rivera (UD 8). After impressively defeating Carlos Balderas (KO 6), a 2016 U.S. Olympian, he lost to Giovanni Cabrera (UD 8). However, he has since gotten back in the win column.
Ivan Dychko (12-0, 11 KOs) excelled as a highly decorated amateur, winning bronze at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, as well as silver at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships. The now 32-year-old turned professional in 2017, but he has struggled to build momentum. He holds wins over veteran gatekeepers such as Maurice Harris (KO 1), Ray Austin (KO 3), and Aleksandr Ustinov (KO 1).
Although Ariel Esteban Bracamonte (12-10, 6 KOs) has lost when he has fought at any real level, he has shared a ring with several good names, including Evgeny Romanov (L UD 10), Demsey McKean (PTS 8), and Jarrell Miller (UD 10). However, the Argentine fighter has been stopped six times, and Ivan Dychko will be confident of scoring the stoppage.
Dominique Frances (13-0, 9 KOs) was a good domestic amateur in America who transitioned to a professional in February 2019. Since then, the 22-year-old from Miami has dominated the opposition, which admittedly hasn’t been great. His last three fights have taken place in Colombia, and he appears prepared to face tougher opponents.
Braian Arguello (6-2, 3 KOs) lost his debut and his most recent outing. The Argentine fighter is unlikely to pose a significant threat to Dominique Frances.
Daniel Matellon (13-0-2, 7 KOs), The Ring’s No. 7-rated junior flyweight, was a Cuban amateur stalwart. He initially was a nearly-man, always reaching the later stages of the national championships, before finally claiming the prized top spot in 2010. Matellon decided to turn professional and now fights out of Panama, where all but one of his fights have taken place. The 35-year-old has wins over Kenny Cano (UD 11), former WBC titlist Masamichi Yabuki (SD 8), Luis De La Rosa (KO 1), and former IBF strawweight beltholder Jose Argumedo (UD 12).
Carlos Canizales (25-1-1, 19 KOs), The Ring’s No. 9-rated junior flyweight, first caught the eye when he left his homeland to face WBA titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (D 12). He returned home and claimed three victories before traveling overseas again and making a name for himself in Asia by defeating Reiya Konisha (UD 12), Bin Lu (TKO 12), and Sho Kimura (UD 12). The 29-year-old was surprisingly stopped by unheralded Bermudez (TKO 6) but has returned with three wins, notably stopping faded former WBC titlist Ganigan Lopez (KO 4).
Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-2, 11 KOs) turned professional in 2007. The Venezuelan lady lost her first two world title attempts against Daniela Bermudez (MD 10) and Yazmin Rivas (UD 10). She won the vacant interim WBA bantamweight title and after one defense was elevated to full champion. She reeled off four successful defenses in Venezuela before stepping up to 122-pounds. She initially lost to Marcela Acuña (SD 10) but rebounded strongly to annex the vacant WBA thrown by defeating previously unbeaten Laura Ledezma (UD 10) and most recently defending her maiden title against Karina Fernandez (RTD 3).
Nazarena Romero (13-0, 7 KOs) turned professional in 2018. In her 10th fight, she claimed the Argentine and South American junior featherweight titles by outperforming the more experienced compatriot Laura Griffa (UD 10). Since then, the 28-year-old has added a WBA regional title to position herself on the precipice of a world title opportunity.
Franciso Veron (12-0, 10 KOs) represented Argentina at the 2020 Olympics. Since turning over as a touted prospect, he has moved through the ranks, notably taking Leonardo di Stefano Ruiz’s unbeaten record with a fifth-round stoppage in his American debut.
Timor Kerefov (13-0, 7 KOs) was a respected amateur who shared the ring with current WBA light heavyweight titlist Dmitry Bivol. He turned professional in Russia in 2018 before moving operations to America in 2020. Since then, he has won five fights against middling opposition in America. This fight marks a step up in opposition for both fighters.