Rolando Romero
- Lightweight
- Light welterweight
Rolando Florencio Romero Moreno, (born 1995) known as Rolly Romero (/ˈroʊli/), is an American professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title from 2023 to March 2024, and the WBA interim lightweight title from 2020 to 2021.
Professional career
Lightweight
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 Maríñez 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]
Romero vs. Cruz
On March 30, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Romero was scheduled to make the first defense of his WBA light welterweight title against Isaac Cruz.[33] Badly battered by the later rounds and failing to mount an effective defense, Romero lost the fight and the title by TKO after the referee jumped in to stop the fight at the 0:56 mark of Round 8.[34]
Romero vs. Jaimes
Romero is scheduled to face Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round super lightweight bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 14, 2024.[35]
Professional boxing record
17 fights | 15 wins | 2 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 13 | 2 |
By decision | 2 | 0 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 | Loss | 15–2 | Isaac Cruz | TKO | 8 (12), 0:56 | Mar 30, 2024 | T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBA super lightweight title |
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
- ^ a b Premier Boxing Champions tale of the tape prior to the Isaac Cruz fight.
- ^ "BoxReco/on September 1 rolando Romero admitted to doing cocaine on famous streamers neons streamurl=https://boxrec.com/en/event/742497/2123836". BoxRec.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Turkson, T.J. (March 7, 2019). "Getting to knows TMT's Rolando "Rolly" Romero". vegassportstoday.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Donovan, Jake (April 20, 2019). "Rolando Romero Knocks Andres Figueroa Out in Four". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ Idec, Keith (November 1, 2019). "Rolando Romero Demolishes Cordones In First Round". boxingscene.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Idec, Keith (August 15, 2020). "Rolando Romero Controversially Decisions Jackson Marinez For WBA Interim-Title". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Christ, Scott (August 16, 2020). "WBA to consider Rolando Romero vs Jackson Marinez rematch". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rolando Romero scores dominant seventh round knockout of Anthony Yigit". The Ring. July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Christ, Scott (July 17, 2021). "Results and highlights: Romero stops Yigit, Vidal edges past Aleem". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Donovan, Jake (October 6, 2021). "Gervonta Davis-Rolly Romero Showtime Pay-Per-View, December 5 At Staples Center". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (January 24, 2022). "WBA re-orders Gervonta Davis vs Rolando Romero". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Christ, Scott (February 8, 2023). "Alberto Puello vs Rolando Romero WBA title fight coming in spring". badlefthook.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ Idec, Keith (February 28, 2023). "Alberto Puello-Rolly Romero Main Event Of Showtime Telecast May 13; Venue TBD". boxingscene.com. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Johns, Marquis (May 13, 2023). "Rolando Romero Wins WBA 140-Pound Belt With Controversial Stoppage Of Ismael Barroso". ringtv.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ Boxingscene Staff (May 14, 2023). "Romero-Barroso Official Scorecards: Barroso Ahead on All Three Cards". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ Compubox (May 14, 2023). "Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso - CompuBox Punch Stats". boxingscene.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ Donovan, Jake (May 30, 2023). "Rolando Romero-Ohara Davies Mandatory 140-Pound Title Fight Ordered By WBA". boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ Donovan, Jake (June 30, 2023). "Rolly Romero-Ohara Davies: WBA To Order Purse Bid For Mandatory Title Fight". boxingscene.com. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
- ^ Donovan, Jake (July 23, 2023). "Rolando Romero-Ohara Davies: WBA Postpones Purse Bid Following Romero Medical Exemption Request". boxingscene.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Chiari, Mike. "Report: Rolly Romero, Isaac Cruz Agree to Contract for 140-Pound Title Fight in March". Bleacher Report.
- ^ Gutierrez, Paul. "'Pitbull' Cruz stops 'Rolly' Romero; Lara and Martinez shine in wins". ESPN.com.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (August 5, 2024). "Rolando Romero vs Manuel Jaimes joins Canelo-Berlanga undercard". FIGHTMAG.
External links
- Boxing record for Rolando Romero from BoxRec (registration required)
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
World boxing titles | ||||
Vacant Title last held by Ismael Barroso | WBA lightweight champion Interim title August 15, 2020 – August 25, 2021 Stripped | Vacant | ||
Vacant Title last held by Alberto Puello | WBA super lightweight champion May 13, 2023 – March 30, 2024 | Succeeded by |