Rolly Romero, the unbeaten American boxer, made headlines on May 7, 2023, with his dramatic comeback against Ismael Barroso, a Venezuelan challenger. The two fighters faced off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the vacant WBA lightweight title, and the fight did not disappoint. In the ninth round, Romero, who had been knocked down earlier in the fight, delivered a barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight, amidst controversy.
Romero’s thrilling performance and controversial stoppage have been the talk of the boxing world, with fans and experts weighing in on the legitimacy of the result. In this blog post, we’ll break down the fight and analyze the key moments that led to Romero’s victory.
The Early Rounds: Barroso Dominates
The first few rounds of the fight were dominated by Barroso, who used his southpaw stance to his advantage and landed some heavy shots on Romero. In the second round, Barroso caught Romero with a left hook that sent him to the canvas. Romero managed to get up, but he was clearly rattled, and Barroso continued to press the action.
As the rounds went on, Barroso’s dominance continued, and Romero seemed unable to find his rhythm. The Venezuelan fighter landed several more power punches, and Romero was again knocked down in the sixth round, but he managed to get back up and keep fighting.
Romero’s Comeback: The Ninth Round
As the fight entered the ninth round, Barroso seemed to be in control. However, Romero suddenly found his second wind and began to throw punches with more intensity and accuracy. He landed a series of hard shots on Barroso, who appeared to be tiring.
With just over a minute left in the round, Romero landed a devastating right hand that sent Barroso stumbling backwards. Romero pounced on his opponent and landed several more shots before the referee stepped in to stop the fight. Barroso protested the stoppage, but the referee deemed him unable to continue.
Controversy and Criticism
Romero’s victory was not without controversy, as many fans and experts criticized the referee’s decision to stop the fight. Some argued that Barroso was not in serious danger and that he should have been given the opportunity to continue. Others praised Romero’s impressive comeback and argued that the stoppage was justified.
Regardless of the controversy, there is no denying that Romero’s victory was hard-fought and well-deserved. He showed tremendous heart and resilience in coming back from two knockdowns to score a stunning victory. With the WBA lightweight title now around his waist, Romero will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the world of boxing.
