Danny Roman: I believe I’m one of the best at junior featherweight

On October 18, 2013, Danny Roman walked out of the ring after shedding by unanimous resolution to Juan Reyes. As he sat in his locker room after the struggle, Roman questioned if boxing was nonetheless a viable choice or if persevering with to work at a quick meals restaurant in his hometown of Los Angeles was his future.

As a lot as he was upset from the loss to Reyes, Roman determined to provide boxing one other attempt.

Roman, who’s ranked No. 3 by The Ring at 122 kilos, is bound glad he continued along with his profession, placing collectively a protracted successful streak, successful two titles and turning into among the best fighters within the junior featherweight division.

Saturday evening, he goals to once more win two titles. He faces Stephen Fulton at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 12-round bout shares the cardboard with the tremendous middleweight conflict between unbeaten David Morrell and once-beaten Kalvin Henderson.

Roman (29-3-1, 10 knockouts) was on high of the 122-pound division after defeating TJ Doheny in an exciting bout in April 2019. Roman efficiently defended the WBA world title and received the IBF title from Doheny.

The Daniel Roman (left)-TJ Doheny conflict was on the Sor Rungvisai-Estrada II undercard. Photograph courtesy of DAZN

The 32-year-old subsequent squared off towards Murodjon Akhmadaliev in January 2020. It was a detailed and aggressive struggle that noticed each give their all in a conflict that Akhmadaliev received by break up resolution.

Roman nonetheless believes he ought to have had his arm raised in victory however has moved on.

“It was a really shut struggle however I assumed I did sufficient to win,” Roman informed The Ring earlier this week. “I assumed I received by two factors. On the finish of the day, it’s important to respect the judges’ resolution. I wished the quick rematch however boxing politics bought concerned that the struggle didn’t occur.

“’MJ’ is all the time going to be on my thoughts. If Saturday evening goes effectively, that’s the struggle I would like, if he needs it.”

Since successful the WBA title from Shun Kubo, in September 2017, Roman has demonstrated his high quality and pedigree as a high fighter within the division. Because the loss to Akhmadaliev, Roman has received his final two fights. His most up-to-date victory befell on Could 15, defeating fringe contender Ricardo Espinoza by unanimous resolution.

Fulton (20-0, 8 KOs), who resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, defeated Angelo Leo by unanimous resolution on January 23 of final 12 months to grow to be the WBO titleholder. In his most up-to-date bout, on November 27, Fulton received the WBC title by defeating Brandon Figueroa by way of majority resolution over 12 motion rounds.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 27: WBO champion Stephen Fulton Jr. (R) punches WBC champion Brandon Figueroa throughout a brilliant bantamweight title unification struggle on the Dolby Reside at Park MGM theater on November 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fulton Jr. received the WBC title from Figueroa by majority resolution. (Photograph by Steve Marcus/Getty Photographs)

Roman respects Fulton a fantastic deal as a fighter and a titleholder, as Fulton’s final 4 victories have come towards unbeaten fighters. Roman expects Fulton to be at his greatest and accepts a tricky problem within the ring.

“He’s a wise fighter,” stated Roman, who’s promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions. “He can present he can struggle within the pocket or from distance. He can field or brawl. What he does effectively is that he could make these vital changes throughout the struggle.

“There’s all the time ebbs and flows in each struggle. My model is totally different from that of Figueroa. Coach [Eddie Gonzalez] and I studied movie and ready the most effective to determine these changes. After the MJ struggle, I can’t begin gradual. I’ve to start out as quickly as doable. We examine every fighter.”

Roman has battled again from adversity, as was evident from the defeat to Reyes virtually 10 years in the past. He slowly climbed the rankings till he received his first main title in 2017.

Even the shut loss to Akhmadaliev didn’t stop Roman from grinding his manner again to the highest, incomes a compulsory problem to face Fulton by the WBO.

What has additionally helped Roman is his coaching regiment and being humble. Ought to he be victorious over Fulton Saturday evening, Roman won’t consider himself as the most effective within the division.

“I don’t need to sound smug,” stated Roman. “I consider I’m among the best within the division. I need to show I’m the higher man on Saturday. Beating Fulton, then MJ later? Perhaps then I can take into account myself to be the most effective junior featherweight in boxing.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or on Twitter @FSalazarBoxing.