On Saturday, June 4, at Radisson Victoria Plaza in Montevideo, Uruguay, Cecilia “La Reina” Comunales (13-1, 8 KOs), from Paysandu, Uruguay, fights Valeria Rodriguez dos Santos (6-4, 2 KOs), from Londrina, Parana, Brazil, for the vacant WBA World female lightweight title.
The fight will be held in honor of Gilberto Mendoza, president emeritus of the WBA.
“We are paying homage,” said Comunales, “because he was a person who did a lot for the world of boxing. We honor the legacy Mr. Mendoza left in boxing, supporting the fighters and the sport in general.
“It will be a very special night for me. I’m focused on winning the title to remain a great champion.”
WBA president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza is traveling to Uruguay today to attend the fights and participate in the celebration of his father, who passed away on March 11.
“I will attend this fight to express the WBA’s support for women’s boxing,” said Mendoza, “in addition to thanking Cecilia Comunales and Sampson Lewkowicz for creating a tribute to my father during the event.”
Twenty-seven-year-old Comunales turned pro in her native Uruguay in 2009. Her only loss was by unanimous decision in 2010.
In 2012, at Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama, Comunales won the vacant WBA World female lightweight title with a first round KO of Maribel Santana. She successfully defended her title two times, in 2012 and 2013.
Saturday’s fight will be her first attempt to regain the WBA lightweight belt.
Her opponent, Valeria Rodriguez dos Santos, has had a somewhat rougher ride. She turned pro in 2005 with a loss and retired. After three years she returned to the ring and again she suffered a loss.
But this time she kept at it.
The Brazilian won four in a row between 2008-2012, before dropping fights in 2012 and 2015. In her last two outings, Valeria KO’d both opponents and is primed for her first shot at a world title.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
