Rolando Romero
Romero in 2023
Born
Rolando Florencio Romero Moreno

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Other namesRolly
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[1]
Reach66 in (168 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights16
Wins15
Wins by KO13
Losses1

Rolando Florencio Romero Moreno, known as Rolly Romero (/ˈroʊli/), is an American professional boxer. He has held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title since 2023, and previously the WBA interim lightweight title from 2020 to 2021.

Professional career

Lightweight

Early career

Romero made his professional debut on December 2, 2016, scoring a first-round technical knockout (TKO) victory against David Courtney at the Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall in Sunrise Manor, Nevada.[2] Romero amassed an 8–0 record during the next three years, winning all but one of those fights by stoppage.[3] Romero was next scheduled to face Andres Figueroa on April 20, 2019, on the undercard of the Danny Garcia and Adrián Granados welterweight bout. He won the fight by a fourth-round knockout.[4] Romero had his first step-up in competition on November 1, 2019, when he faced Juan Carlos Cordones. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, stopping Cordones in the final minute of the opening round.[5] Romero faced the undefeated Arturs Ahmetovs on February 22, 2020, on the undercard of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury II. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[6]

Romero vs. Maríñez, Sparrow

After compiling a record of 11–0 (10 KOs) Romero faced undefeated Dominican Jackson Maríñez for the vacant WBA interim lightweight title on August 15, 2020, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Romero captured the vacant WBA interim title via twelve-round unanimous decision (UD) with the judges' scorecards reading 118–110, 116–112, and 115–113. This decision was considered very controversial, with the majority feeling Marinez earned the win.[7][8][9]

Romero was scheduled to take on Justin Pauldo, but Pauldo came in 5Ibs over the contracted weight. Romero's team would then change the weight to 140 Ibs, but Pauldo failed a pre-fight physical with the commission having to cancel it. Romero fought Avery Sparrow as a last minute opponent, the latter having had five weeks of training prior to this fight. Romero defeated his opponent by seventh-round technical knockout, and aired his frustrations with Sparrow's fighting style after the fight: "He fought like a coward, he just wanted a street fight because he knew he wasn't gonna do anything to me."[10]

Romero vs. Yigit

Romero was slated to defend his interim title against Austin Dulay on the undercard of Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castaño on July 17, 2021. Dulay pulled out of the fight a few days before the scheduled date which prompted Romero to claim that Dulay had pulled out of the fight due to a “panic attack.” Dulay responded by revealing that he suffered a knee injury and offered to give Romero $10,000 of his fight purse to reschedule the fight.[11] Anthony Yigit was subsequently moved from his untelevised preliminary slot to step in as Romero's opponent.[12] Romero's title was no longer on the line when Yigit weighed in 5.2 lbs over the 135 lb limit, but the fight nonetheless went ahead. On the night, Romero dropped Yigit multiple times en route to a seventh-round technical knockout victory.[13] The San Antonio crowd booed Romero as he was announced as the winner, voicing their displeasure with his roughhouse tactics of throwing elbows, shoving and grappling his opponent. He was unfazed when questioned about it in his post-fight interview, saying, "I fought a 140 pounder and I fucking stopped him, simple as that."[14]

Romero vs. Davis

On October 6, 2021, it was announced that Romero would be facing undefeated WBA (Regular) lightweight champion Gervonta Davis on December 5 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Showtime PPV.[15] However, Romero was pulled from the bout due to sexual assault allegations made against him, and was subsequently replaced with Isaac Cruz.[16] On January 11, 2022, Romero revealed on his Instagram page that no charges against him were filed, as the claims of sexual abuse could not be substantiated.[17] On January 24, the WBA once again ordered Davis to make a mandatory lightweight title defense against Romero, and gave the pair until February 24 to come to terms.[18] The pair agreed to face each other on May 28, in the main event of a Showtime PPV,[19] at the Barclays Center in New York. Romero was knocked out in the 6th round. [20]

Light welterweight

Romero vs. Barroso

On February 8, 2023, it was reported that Romero would move up to light welterweight to challenge the WBA champion Alberto Puello.[21] The championship bout was expected to take place on May 13, 2023, in the main event of a Showtime broadcast card.[22] Puello was pulled from the fight on April 19, after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and was replaced by Ismael Barroso who faced Romero for the vacant championship.[23] Romero won the fight by a controversial ninth-round technical knockout.[24][25][26] Barroso was ahead on the all three of the judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage and had out-landed Romero in both total and power punches.[27][28]

Romero vs. Davies

Although Romero was ordered by the WBA to make a mandatory title defense against the twice-defeated Ohara Davies,[29] the pair failed to come to terms within the allotted 30-day negotiation period, which forced the sanctioning body to call for a purse bid to be held.[30] Romero submitted a request for a medical exemption on July 21, which led to the WBA indefinitely postponing the purse bid.[31] A further proof of injury was demanded of Romero on August 4 and again on August 19.[32]

Professional boxing record

16 fights 15 wins 1 loss
By knockout 13 1
By decision 2 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
16 Win 15–1 Ismael Barroso TKO 9 (12), 0:20 May 13, 2023 The Cosmopolitan, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBA super lightweight title
15 Loss 14–1 Gervonta Davis TKO 6 (12), 2:39 May 28, 2022 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S. For WBA (Regular) lightweight title
14 Win 14–0 Anthony Yigit TKO 7 (12), 1:54 Jul 17, 2021 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. WBA interim lightweight title not at stake due to Yigit missing weight
13 Win 13–0 Avery Sparrow TKO 7 (12), 0:43 Jan 23, 2021 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Jackson Maríñez UD 12 Aug 15, 2020 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Won vacant WBA interim lightweight title
11 Win 11–0 Arturs Ahmetovs TKO 2 (8), 1:22 Feb 22, 2020 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Juan Carlos Cordones KO 1 (6), 2:14 Nov 1, 2019 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Andres Figueroa KO 4 (6), 1:27 Apr 20, 2019 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Nicolas Atilio Velazquez KO 1 (6), 1:02 Mar 9, 2019 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Rondale Hubbert TKO 2 (6), 0:45 Dec 7, 2018 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Dieumerci Nzau KO 1 (6), 1:17 Oct 27, 2018 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Javier Martinez UD 6 Aug 3, 2018 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Alex Silva TKO 1 (4), 2:48 Jan 27, 2018 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Johnny Estrada KO 2 (4), 2:02 Oct 21, 2017 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Adrian Levya TKO 4 (4), 0:23 May 20, 2017 Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 David Courtney TKO 1 (4), 1:11 Dec 2, 2016 Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Sunrise Manor, Nevada, U.S.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Gervonta Davis fight
  2. ^ "BoxRec: Rolando Romero vs. David Courtney". BoxRec. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  3. ^ Turkson, T.J. (March 7, 2019). "Getting to knows TMT's Rolando "Rolly" Romero". vegassportstoday.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Donovan, Jake (April 20, 2019). "Rolando Romero Knocks Andres Figueroa Out in Four". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Idec, Keith (November 1, 2019). "Rolando Romero Demolishes Cordones In First Round". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  6. ^ Rafael, Dan (February 23, 2020). "Charles Martin, Emanuel Navarrete score TKO wins in Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury II undercard". africa.espn.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  7. ^ Idec, Keith (August 15, 2020). "Rolando Romero Controversially Decisions Jackson Marinez For WBA Interim-Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  8. ^ Gordan, Sam (August 15, 2020). "Rolando Romero, David Benavidez score wins in PBC card on Showtime | Las Vegas Review-Journal". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  9. ^ Christ, Scott (August 16, 2020). "WBA to consider Rolando Romero vs Jackson Marinez rematch". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  10. ^ Idec, Keith (January 26, 2021). "Rolly Romero: Sparrow Fought Like A Coward, Lucky They Stopped It When They Did". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  11. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (July 8, 2021). "Austin Dulay injured, Rolando Romero vs Anthony Yigit set for July 17th". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  12. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (July 8, 2021). "Austin Dulay injured, Rolando Romero vs Anthony Yigit set for July 17th". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "Rolando Romero scores dominant seventh round knockout of Anthony Yigit". The Ring. July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  14. ^ Christ, Scott (July 17, 2021). "Results and highlights: Romero stops Yigit, Vidal edges past Aleem". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  15. ^ Donovan, Jake (October 6, 2021). "Gervonta Davis-Rolly Romero Showtime Pay-Per-View, December 5 At Staples Center". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  16. ^ "Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz frontrunner to replace Rolly Romero for Tank Davis fight on Dec.5th ⋆ Boxing News 24". Boxing News 24. October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  17. ^ Esco, Wil (January 11, 2022). "Rolando Romero claims no charges will be filed against him after accusations of sexual assault". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (January 24, 2022). "WBA re-orders Gervonta Davis vs Rolando Romero". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Esco, Wil (March 8, 2022). "Gervonta Davis once again set to face Rolando Romero in May 28 Showtime PPV". badlefthook.com. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Idec, Keith (March 12, 2022). "Gervonta Davis-Rolando Romero To Headline Showtime PPV Card 5/28 At Barclays Center". boxingscene.com. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. ^ Christ, Scott (February 8, 2023). "Alberto Puello vs Rolando Romero WBA title fight coming in spring". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Idec, Keith (February 28, 2023). "Alberto Puello-Rolly Romero Main Event Of Showtime Telecast May 13; Venue TBD". boxingscene.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Idec, Keith (May 10, 2023). "Puello Named WBA 140-Pound Champ In Recess; Romero, Barroso To Fight For Vacant Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  24. ^ Idec, Keith (May 14, 2023). "Rolly Romero Gets Off The Floor, Gains Controversial Stoppage of Ismael Barroso in Ninth For WBA Title". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  25. ^ Christ, Scott (May 14, 2023). "Romero vs Barroso full fight video highlights and results: Rolando Romero gifted world title in terrible TKO call over Ismael Barroso". badlefthook.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  26. ^ Johns, Marquis (May 13, 2023). "Rolando Romero Wins WBA 140-Pound Belt With Controversial Stoppage Of Ismael Barroso". ringtv.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  27. ^ Boxingscene Staff (May 14, 2023). "Romero-Barroso Official Scorecards: Barroso Ahead on All Three Cards". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  28. ^ Compubox (May 14, 2023). "Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso - CompuBox Punch Stats". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  29. ^ Donovan, Jake (May 30, 2023). "Rolando Romero-Ohara Davies Mandatory 140-Pound Title Fight Ordered By WBA". boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  30. ^ Donovan, Jake (June 30, 2023). "Rolly Romero-Ohara Davies: WBA To Order Purse Bid For Mandatory Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Donovan, Jake (July 23, 2023). "Rolando Romero-Ohara Davies: WBA Postpones Purse Bid Following Romero Medical Exemption Request". boxingscene.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  32. ^ Donovan, Jake (August 19, 2023). "Rolando Romero Issued Hard Deadline To Submit Proof Of Injury Ahead Of Mandatory Title Defense". boxingscene.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.

External links

Sporting positions World boxing titles VacantTitle last held byIsmael Barroso WBA lightweight championInterim title August 15, 2020 – August 25, 2021Stripped Vacant VacantTitle last held byAlberto Puello WBA super lightweight champion May 13, 2023 – present Incumbent
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