Rolando Romero does not consider his fate to Gervonta Davis a total loss.
Yes, the powerful Davis caught him with his big left hand and beat him in the sixth round of their 135-pound fight last May. It’s a matter of profile.
At the same time, the fact that he fought Davis on near-uniform conditions until the stoppage and the experience he gained made him take a more positive view of the fight against Ismael. Barroso on Saturday night in Las Vegas (Showtime).
Romero will be fighting as an official 140-pound athlete for the first time. The vacant WBA title is reported to be at stake.
“Gervonta Davis didn’t win that match, I lost that match,” Romero told Boxing Junkie. “I can say so. It was more of a reflection of a mistake I made than of him being great. Before that, the great one was me.
“…Despite that, I am forever grateful for that opportunity. I became smarter, I became a better fighter.”
Saturday’s game at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is another big opportunity.
Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) was scheduled to challenge WBA belt Alberto Puello but Puello was withdrawn after allegedly testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. He is said to have been stripped of his title.
Barroso, a 40-year-old slugger from Venezuela, agreed to participate about three weeks before the match.
Romero was perfectly content to take on Barroso – especially since the full title would be available – but he was furious when he heard about his original opponent’s doping allegations.
“It’s disgusting,” he said. “The positive test result for banned substances is regrettable. Our health is at stake. It’s not like every other sport. Boxers die all the time. … I think anyone caught in the act should be banned from boxing forever.”
The positive drug test result opened a door for Barroso, who Romero believes could pose a tougher challenge than Puello.
Puello is a sleek, athletic technician. Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs) is known for his punching prowess rather than his boxing prowess, despite his solid skill set. He was stopped by 135-pound heavyweight belt holder Anthony Crolla in 2016, his only title hit.
Both Puello and Barroso are left-handed, which should make Romero’s transition easier in a sense.
Romero was asked about Barroso’s knockout record.
He said, “Oh, he can punch. “He is one of those heavy-handed people. And he’s smart, experienced. Is this a step down? I think that’s a step forward. Puello can’t punch. This guy can punch.
“I can’t fall asleep on this guy. You can’t even compare the two on that.
Nor can you compare Barroso to Romero’s previous rival, Davis. That could bode well for him, as he can also box and punch hard. The glory that eluded him against one of the best in the business last year could come after a fight.
“I am so excited to be a champion,” he said, “and to perform for my hometown fans in Las Vegas. I am very happy to be back.”
