On Saturday, May 30, Gilberto Mendoza, President of the WBA, attended an event called Noche de Estrellas (Night of Stars) at Centro Recreacional Yesterday on Calle Mariño in Turmero, Venezuela.

Night of Stars was an opportunity for young professional Venezuelan boxers to display their talents in the ring. Mr. Mendoza’s presence made it all the more memorable.

“I always look forward to such evenings,” he said. “These programs are vital because this is where boxing was born. It gives us a chance to see the champions of tomorrow, to watch the young men and women boxers in every country that I visit. It’s also an opportunity to promote our KO to Drugs campaign.”

The event was highlighted by a sixth round TKO by Deborah “La Pantera” Rengifo (5-0, 2 KOs), from Caracas, Venezuela, over Maria Milano (2-1-1), from San Juan de Los Morros, Venezuela. The victory paves the way for Rengifo’s first international challenge on June 27.

“The fight between Rengifo and Milan was very good,” said Mendoza. “Milan pressed the action in the opening rounds and forced Rengifo to fight. It was very interesting. I like to watch women fight, and Rengifo is growing as a fighter.”

Also on the card, lightweight Roger “The Kid” Gutierrez, from Maracaibo, Venezuela, improved his record to 6-0-1 with 4 KOs by stopping Miguel Urdaneta, also from Maracaibo, in the 2nd round of a scheduled 6-round fight.

And last but not least, Carolina “La Fiera” Alvarez (12-6-3, 9 KOs), from Caracas, Venezuela, TKO’d Alejandra Diaz, from El Tigre, Venezuela, in her boxing debut.