Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero has found himself with the WBA super lightweight title around his waist following a victory over Ismael Barroso in the ninth – a stoppage so soft that led many fighters to condemn it.
The pair were originally set to face off for the Interim title, but the sanctioning body made Alberto Puello ‘champion in recess’ following a failed doping test for Clomiphene, and, just like that, Romero and Barroso found themselves in a bonafide title fight.
‘Rolly’ touched the canvas in the third and fought on until the ninth in a performance that saw him behind on all three judges’ scorecards.
Ismael Barroso DROPS Romero in round 3 with a left ?#RomeroBarroso pic.twitter.com/ThKJcoUU6C
— ALL THE SMOKE Boxing (@atsboxing) May 14, 2023
That didn’t matter, because after scoring a knockdown of his own – a good shot followed by what looked to be a push to the head – the fight was nearing its end.
.@SignUp4KOs comes back with a knockdown of his own in round 9 ??#RomeroBarroso pic.twitter.com/YHwjkkvyd6
— ALL THE SMOKE Boxing (@atsboxing) May 14, 2023
The 27-year-old followed up with a not-so-accurate flurry, causing referee Tony Weeks to inexplicably wave it off and announce him the winner.
WOW ?
Referee Tony Weeks stops the fight and @SignUp4KOs scores a TKO victory over Barroso to become the new WBA Super Lightweight champ ? #RomeroBarroso pic.twitter.com/SseQxDNoQu
— ALL THE SMOKE Boxing (@atsboxing) May 14, 2023
Claressa Shields called the decision pathetic, whilst Joseph Diaz went one further and said that it was ‘rigged.’ Ryan Garcia believes it was ‘dirty’ and ‘way too early’, and heavyweight Michael Hunter said that ‘no punch landed.’
Whatever the general consensus – and it’s hard to find one fighter or fan who agrees with Weeks – ‘Rolly’ is world champion via his first fight in the division and coming off a loss to Gervonta Davis.
Ismael Barroso, at 40-years-old, likely won’t get this type of shot again. He told the broadcast in the aftermath that the stoppage was ‘an injustice.’
To his credit, ‘Rolly’ said that his opponent should’ve been allowed the chance to keep going.
