Americas

Americas

Venezuelan president saddened by murder of boxer

26 February 2014 00:45 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro expressed his condolences to the relatives and friends of former boxing world champion Antonio Cermeno, who was found dead on Tuesday morning, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

In Twitter, Maduro said Cermeno was founder of the Peace Movement proposing gang disarmament and the integration of young people into sports and work.

Maduro recalled that "the last time I met him, he told me: Maduro, don't give up, we will always support you."

Cermeno was kidnapped on Monday in La Urbina, a sector in Caracas. The body of the 45-year-old world champion was found in Barlovento Street, near Caucagua, in Miranda state (north).

The World Boxing Association (WBA) regretted the death of Cermeno and condemned the crime.

The Venezuelan Public Prosecutor's Office ordered Anthonella Borges, attorney in Miranda, to investigate the murder of Cermeno.

Cermeno was born on March 6, 1969 in Rio Chico, in Miranda. He was WBA super bantamweight champion after defeating Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez in Puerto Ricon on May 13, 1995. He retained the title until 1997. Later, he became featherweight champion from 1998 to 1999.

After he retired, Cermeno dedicated to social work and to help young athletes.