Esteemed trainer Teddy Atlas has had his say on Rolly Romero’s controversial stoppage victory over Ismael Barroso in Las Vegas last night.
Referee Tony Weeks’ decision to wave the contest off in the ninth round has come under heavy criticism, with most observers of the opinion that Barroso was perfectly fine to continue.
And Atlas did not hold back when he took to social media to air his views on the call, describing it as “corruption.”
“I’m no longer working ringside because of my persistence to use the word ‘corruption’, well it’s just as well, because I would have been using it tonight.”
I’m no longer working ringside because of my persistence to use the word ‘corruption’, well it’s just as well, because I would have been using it tonight. #RomeroBarroso
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) May 14, 2023
Despite being a wide betting underdog, 40 year old Barroso was getting the better of Romero and appeared to be well on his way to be crowned world champion.
The Venezuelan scored a third round knockdown of Romero, and all three ringside judges had him up on the cards at the time of the stoppage.
Fans on Twitter have echoed the sentiment expressed by Atlas, with many describing Weeks’ decision as amongst the worst they have ever seen by a boxing referee.
The contest was for the WBA super lightweight title, after previous champion Alberto Puello tested positive for Clomifine and was named “champion in recess.”
Romero was considered fortunate by many to land a fight for the title, given he has campaigned as a lightweight throughout is career and suffered a defeat in his last bout.
That came against mega star Gervonta Davis last May, who stopped ‘Rolly’ in the sixth round with a trade mark counter left hand.