The wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti was accused Sunday of murder following his death in Brazil the previous day.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues, the wife of Arturo Gatti, was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation and presented a formal accusation against her. Prosecutors will later decide whether she will be charged.

Rodrigues, who denies any involvement in her husband's death, was the first to find the slain boxer's body early Saturday inside the vacation apartment they were renting at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil, police said.

Police said Rodrigues, a Brazilian, could not explain how she spent nearly 10 hours inside the residence without noticing that Gatti was already dead.

The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police. The couple's 1-year-old son, who was unhurt, was handed to Rodrigues' sister, Saraiva added.

Rodrigues told police she had a fight with Gatti after dinner Friday night and Gatti was drunk. She said that a third party likely committed the crime after he went to the apartment by himself. Witnesses had reported to police that the couple fought and that Gatti was drunk.

Authorities were told the couple was extremely jealous of each other and that Gatti constantly complained about her clothing when she traveled to Brazil, Saraiva said.

The 37-year-old Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 and 31 knockouts.

(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2009)