By Dan Molinski, special to BoxingScene.com

CARACAS - WBC lightweight boxing champion in recess Edwin Valero was arrested early Sunday on suspicion of murdering his wife in his home nation of Venezuela, according to the police.

The body of Jennifer Carolina Viera de Valero, 24, was found in a hotel room in Valencia early Sunday morning, Wilmer Flores, a director with Venezuela's police investigations department CICPC, told state-run television stations.

The wife had reportedly had been stabbed several times.

Flores said the 28-year-old Valero was apprehended on the hotel property shortly after the discovery, was placed in custody and is being questioned.

Valero had reportedly entered rehab for anger management courses just a few weeks ago under court order, after being arrested on charges of harassing his wife.

Valero's professional boxing record is 27-0. Valero recently vacated his lightweight title, or placed it "in recess," reportedly due to an injury and because of plans to change weight classes.