Luis Ibarra Went Abroad Twice to Capture Flyweight Gold
Luis “El Naja” Ibarra won the WBA flyweight championship on November 17, 1979, defeating Betulio González by unanimous decision over fifteen rounds in Maracay, Venezuela. The Panamanian southpaw later regained the same belt in Argentina.
Career highlights
Ibarra was born in Colón, Panama, and competed under the full name Luis Ibarra Castillo. His first championship run ended in its opening defense when Tae-Shik Kim knocked him out in the second round in Seoul on February 17, 1980.
He returned to world-title level against Santos Laciar in Buenos Aires on June 6, 1981. Ibarra again won a fifteen-round unanimous decision, taking the WBA championship away from the Argentine titleholder.
The second championship reign
Juan Herrera stopped Ibarra in the eleventh round in Mérida, Mexico, on September 26, 1981, ending his second reign. Ibarra’s two championship victories both came on the road against reigning champions, with the González and Laciar decisions defining his place in Panama’s flyweight history.
Ibarra was born on February 23, 1953. His professional career ended with twenty-six victories, including nine knockouts, and five defeats. In November 2025, Panama’s boxing commission honored him as the country’s thirteenth world boxing champion, recognizing the place his two flyweight reigns hold in the nation’s long history of championship success.
Sources
- BoxRec: Ibarra’s background and two championship reigns
- BoxRec: Ibarra’s championship wins and defeats
- UPI: Ibarra’s 1981 victory over Laciar in Argentina
- La Prensa: Panama’s boxing commission honors Luis Ibarra
