Rolando Romero doesn’t view his destiny in opposition to Gervonta Davis as a complete loss.
Sure, the highly effective Davis caught him with a giant left hand and knocked him out within the sixth spherical of their 135-pound combat final Could. That’s a matter of report.
On the similar time, the actual fact he fought Davis on roughly even phrases till the stoppage and the expertise he gained left him with a constructive outlook going into his combat with Ismael Barroso on Saturday evening in Las Vegas (Showtime).
Romero will likely be combating as a full-fledged 140-pounder for the primary time. The vacant WBA title reportedly will likely be at stake.
“Gervonta Davis didn’t win that combat, I misplaced that combat,” Romero instructed Boxing Junkie. “I can say it like that. It was a mirrored image of a mistake I made greater than him being nice. Earlier than that, the individual being nice was me.
“… Regardless, I’m endlessly grateful for that chance. I grew to become smarter, I grew to become a greater fighter.”
The combat Saturday at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is one other vital alternative.
Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) had been scheduled to problem WBA beltholder Alberto Puello however Puello was pulled from the cardboard after allegedly testing constructive for a performance-enhancing drug. He reportedly was stripped of his title.
Barroso, a 40-year-old slugger from Venezuela, agreed to step in about three weeks earlier than the combat.
Romero is completely glad combating Barroso – significantly as a result of the complete title will likely be on the road – however he was outraged when he heard concerning the doping allegation of his authentic opponent.
“It’s simply disgusting,” he stated. “Testing constructive for banned substances is f—ed up. Our well being is at stake. It’s not like each different sport. Boxers die on a regular basis. … I feel anybody who will get caught with that ought to be completely banned from boxing.”
The constructive drug take a look at opened a door for Barroso, who Romero believes might pose a stiffer problem than Puello would have.
Puello is an athletic, slick technician. Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs) is understood extra for his punching energy than his boxing capability, though he has stable expertise. He was stopped by then 135-pound beltholder Anthony Crolla in 2016, his solely title shot.
Each Puello and Barroso are left-handed, which can have made the transition simpler for Romero in a single sense.
Romero was requested about Barroso’s knockout report.
“Oh, he can punch,” he stated. “He’s a kind of guys with heavy arms. And he’s tough, skilled. Is that this a step down? I feel it’s a step up. Puello can’t punch. This dude can punch.
“I can’t go to sleep on this man. You’ll be able to’t even evaluate the 2 on that.”
You can also’t evaluate Barroso to Romero’s earlier opponent, Davis. That might bode nicely for him, as he can field and punch laborious, too. The glory that eluded him in opposition to the most effective within the enterprise final yr might come one combat later.
“I’ll be excited to be champion,” he stated, “and to placed on a present for my hometown followers in Las Vegas. I’m simply excited to be again.”
