In a turn of events from earlier this week, we will now have a full WBA super lightweight title fight on Saturday live from the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, NV. The hard-hitting Rolando ‘Rolly Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) will look to rebound from his loss a year ago against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis to face Ismael Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs). This fight looks to be when Romero gets his career back on track after suffering his first loss. A win on Saturday night can undoubtedly put him in the conversation of fights like the rematch with Davis or any other champions at super lightweight. The odds lean heavily toward a Romero victory, but this is boxing, and you never know.
ROLANDO ‘ROLLY’ ROMERO VS. ISMAEL BARROSO BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero is the favorite at -1250, and Ismael Barroso is the underdog at +700.
Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero: Decision +340; KO/TKO -340
Draw: +2200
Ismael Barroso: Decision +2000; KO/TKO +800
.@SignUp4KOs makes his anticipated return to the ring Saturday on @Showtime 💥
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 9, 2023
Watch #RomeroBarroso May 13 at 9PM ET/6PM PT. pic.twitter.com/AA98lXtdNK
ROLANDO ROMERO NEEDS TO GET BACK TO BEING ‘ROLLY’
When Romero was coming up, he was knocking fighters out one by one and doing it with a level of confidence that most will never have. He still doesn’t lack the power, but the confidence to produce a knockout hasn’t been there in the last couple of fights. Part of that was his lack of technique which caught up to him when he faced higher-level opponents. While taking the time away and getting back to what is important, Romero regained that passion for training and fighting, which could mean bad news for Barroso. Romero needs to be ‘Rolly’ again, and that fighter was the one that put fear in his opponents and made them respect him as soon as they felt the power. Everyone wants to see that Romero on Saturday night, and I think we will get him, which will lead to some high-action exchanges.
He fights this Saturday on @ShowtimeBoxing but @SignUp4KOs tells the Last Stand he wants @ErrolSpenceJr next!👇🏾#boxing #Laststandhttps://t.co/jksa754FM8 pic.twitter.com/8IcOsPffln
— Brian Custer (@BCusterTV) May 9, 2023
IS 40 THE NEW 30 FOR ISMAEL BARROSO?
Barroso will be fighting an uphill battle as he faces a young, brash contender in Romero. Barroso is a Southpaw who can always be an issue for conventional fighters but is a little stiff with his movements. Barroso also likes to get into those close exchanges but leaves himself open to be countered. This may have worked in his younger days, but at 40, he will have to stay on the outside and make the fight boring for Romero, which I don’t see happening. Can Barroso turn back the clock and smartly box his way to a decision victory? I don’t see it, but if he tries to outwork Romero, it will certainly be a short night for him.
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Sign UpROLANDO ‘ROLLY’ ROMERO VS. ISMAEL BARROSO PREDICTION
Although Barroso will try to box his way to a victory, he is far too old to keep off a young lion like Romero for an entire fight. Romero will stick a left jab at Barroso’s torso and come over the top with a looping right hand to stop this fight around the sixth round.
Can @SignUp4KOs put a stop to Barroso? 🥊💥
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 10, 2023
Watch #RomeroBarroso Saturday at 9PM ET/6PM PT on @Showtime. pic.twitter.com/9PTwLsNqdy
ROLANDO ‘ROLLY’ ROMERO VS. ISMAEL BARROSO?
- Date: Saturday: May 13
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx.): 11:30 p.m. ET |8:30 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS ROLANDO ‘ROLLY’ ROMERO VS. ISMAEL BARROSO?
- U.S.: Showtime
- U.K.: TBA
