Born in 1995 on American soil, Romero’s path to boxing success was paved by his father’s determination and sacrifice. Rolando Romero Sr., a three-time national amateur boxing champion in Cuba, faced insurmountable obstacles in pursuing a professional career due to the political climate in his home country. After enduring imprisonment and hardship, the elder Romero eventually made his way to the United States, setting the stage for his son’s future in the sport.
Despite his boxing lineage, Rolly’s athletic journey began in a different discipline. As a youth, he dedicated himself to judo, honing his skills and developing the physical attributes that would later serve him well in the boxing ring. However, the allure of Olympic glory eventually drew him towards boxing, where he quickly discovered his natural talent and formidable punching power.
Now, at 28 years old, Romero stands on the precipice of greatness. Mayweather’s guidance has helped Romero refine his technique, particularly emphasizing the importance of a strong jab and overall boxing ability.
The transition from judo to boxing has undoubtedly shaped Romero’s unique fighting style. While he has garnered a reputation as a heavy-handed puncher, he insists that there is much more to his arsenal. “I’ve yet to really show my boxing ability,” Romero explains, hinting at untapped potential that he believes will carry him to the top of the sport.
Rolando Romero, once thought to be facing the end of his career after being stopped by Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in March, took a step forward with a dominant victory over Manuel Jaimes in a 10-round junior welterweight bout. The fight opened the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga pay-per-view card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas before a sold-out crowd of 20,312. Romero secured a unanimous decision with judges scoring the fight 99-91 in his favor.
Though Romero started cautiously, landing only three punches in the first round, he controlled the pace throughout. Jaimes, despite his efforts, was unable to lure Romero into an aggressive fight. Romero’s strategy of landing two- and three-punch combinations while remaining defensive paid off. As the fight progressed, Romero increased his output, landing double-digit punches in the last six rounds.
CompuBox statistics showed Romero landed 112 punches compared to Jaimes’ 89, revealing a clear talent disparity. Despite the defeat, Jaimes remained optimistic, acknowledging he could have been more active but valuing the opportunity to fight at such a high level.
Romero, now with a 16-2 record, expressed hope for a future title fight, feeling this victory positioned him well for a shot at the junior welterweight champions.
