Puerto Rican boxers could be first simultaneous world champions who are sisters

Puerto Ricans Cindy and Amanda Serrano could become the first pair of sisters to be world boxing champions at the same time on December 10, if Cindy can defeat Colombia's Calixta Silgado in their bout for the women's 126 pound (58kg) World Boxing Organisation title.

The Cosme Beitia de Cataño coliseum in northeastern Puerto Rico will host the fight, reports Efe.

If Serrano wins the contest, she and Amanda will become the first pair of sisters to hold the female boxing title simultaneously and the first such duo to win the same title in the same year.

In February, Amanda won the WBO title in the 126-pound category against then world champion Olivia Gerula of Canada.

Eventually, however, Amanda left the 126-pound title vacant when she dropped to 122 pounds and won the WBO title in that weight category.

"When Amanda left the title vacant to drop to 122 pounds, it didn't go through my mind how great all this could be. This is something really great for me, for my family, for women's boxing and for Puerto Rico," said Cindy in a statement released on Tuesday by organisers of the event.

She added that she would go all out to "make history" in the ring against Silgado.

Cindy has won the world championship in two divisions -- 130 pounds and 135 pounds -- while Silgado is coming off a second-round knockout against the previously undefeated Julia Cassiani on November 4.

--IANS

ajb/bg