LAS VEGAS -- The last two times that Rolly Romero was in the ring were mirror opposites of each other. On May 28, 2022, he was looking surprisingly good until he got caught by Gervonta Davis and was stopped in the sixth round. Then, on May 13, 2023, Romero faced veteran Ismael Barroso for a vacant WBA super lightweight title.
The 40-year-old Barroso was in control from the start until nearly the finish until, with a seemingly quick stoppage assist from the referee, Romero scored a ninth-round TKO victory.
On Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in the co-main event of a card featuring a super welterweight unification bout between Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora, Romero will face veteran Isaac Cruz. And while the fight has been referred to repeatedly as "the people's main event," Romero isn't expecting that much of a test.
“Everybody thinks this is going to be a difficult fight, but I think this is gonna be an easy fight," Romero sad. "He’s going to run right into something, because he’s stupid. He’s going to throw and throw and throw again. He does the same stuff over and over again. I’m ready for it."
The oddsmakers see it differently. Cruz is a -275 favorite at DraftKings sports book, though he was -300 earlier in the week, indicating there has been money on Romero. The over-under is 9.5 rounds, with under that being the favorite at -120. Cruz is a -135 favorite to win by knockout.
Both of them lost to Davis, one of the pound-for-pound best in the world. Versus Davis, they're 0-2. Against everyone else, they're 40-1-1.
That suggests that both are of a greater quality than the other is willing to concede. Romero has been trying everything he can to get under Cruz's skin. Cruz is nicknamed "Pitbull," but Romero wore a necklace to Thursday's news conference with a chihuahua that had Cruz's head on it.
Cruz, though, just shrugs it off. He's hardly bothered by the talk and knows that what counts is on Saturday when the bell rings. He vows to take advantage of Romero mistakes with an aggressive attack.
“I’m here to wipe Rolly’s smile off his face and take his belt," Cruz sad. "That’s it. Isaac Cruz is going to be the new world champion.”
Stephen "Breadman" Edwards, one of the elite trainers in boxing and an astute analyst, had high praise for Romero, particularly with Romero's decision to add trainer Ismael Salas to his corner. But though Romero was knocked out in six by Davis, Edwards said he liked what he saw.
Davis' KO punch wasn't a breakdown over time. It was one big punch that hurt Romero and quickly set the finish in motion.
"I'm going to tell you something interesting: I thought he was boxing an excellent fight versus Tank Davis," Edwards said. "I really did. Like, I don't look at just the result. I look at everything that was happening during the fight. Tank respected [Romero's] power. He respected his awkwardness. He was trying to set Rolly up for a big shot and I remember someone in the crowd yelling, "Not yet," as if [Romero] was still strong and sharp. I felt that with a little more discipline and understanding what was happening ... I thought he was up maybe four rounds to one going into the sixth."
Cruz is 5-4 with a short neck and he's difficult to hit. Davis was never really able to open up on him, and it figures to be hard for Romero to land consistently, as well. Cruz also has a great chin.
Romero mocked him as a small guy, but Cruz plans to make a statement on Saturday.
“If he thinks I’m stupid, then he’s even stupider," Cruz said. "If he thinks I’m just going to lay down, he’s very mistaken. He’s going to realize it on Saturday night."
The fight can be purchased via Amazon Prime or on PPV.com.
Ryan Hafey/PBC
Rolly Romero (L) and Isaac Cruz pose Thursday at the final news conference before their super lightweight title fight Saturday.