(APR 4)  Over 22,000 people in Paysandu, Uruguay, were waiting to greet new WBA Female Lightweight World Champion Cecilia "La Reina" Comunales today, as she arrived home after her title-winning victory Saturday night in Panama.

Fighting in one of the featured bouts of the night at Arena Roberto Duran in Panama City, Panama, Comunales (9-1, 6 KOs) stopped the Dominican Republic's Maribel Santana in one round, due to injury, to capture the belt.

"South America is not like North America," explained Comunales' promoter, Sampson Lewkwicz of Sampson Boxing. "Boxers over here, especially champions, are like movie stars. Cecilia was greeted by the mayor and a huge crowd. She is now one of the most famous people in all of Uruguay."

The 23-year-old Comunales seems to be handling her sudden fame well and graciously accepted the well wishes from thousands of her countrymen in style.

"She loved it," Lewkowicz continued. "She's been waiting a long time to become a champion and now she's done it. She deserves all the attention she is getting. Cecilia is a terrific fighter and she will remain champion for a long time."