Rolando Romero has a new opponent for this Saturday, as he will take on Ismael Barroso for the vacant WBA 140-pound title live on Showtime. Champion Alberto Puello was forced out after failing a VADA test.
Rolando Romero-Ismael Barroso meet for vacant title
Alberto Puello has been forced to drop the WBA 140-pound title after failing a VADA test and a new champion will be crowned this Saturday night live on Showtime.
Rolando Romero will battle Ismael Barroso for the vacant title in the main event of a tripleheader from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Romero-Barroso promo
Romero, 14-1 with 12 career knockouts, is part of the Floyd Mayweather Promotions stable. The American is fighting for the first time since suffering his only loss to Gervonta Davis by sixth-round TKO.
Prior to that defeat, Romero had scored back-to-back finishes over Anthony Yigit and Avery Sparrow.
“It doesn’t matter who I fight on May 13,” Romero said. “I’m a star and I’m gonna shine no matter what. I can’t wait to put on a show in my hometown of Las Vegas and for everyone watching on Showtime. I’m leaving the ring with that belt.”
Barroso has scored four consecutive wins, including finishes of Fernando David Saucedo and Nestor Hugo Paniagua. The knockout of Panigua happened in the first round.
“I’m very happy about this opportunity and I’m not going to waste it,” Barroso said. “On May 13 you will see an extremely hungry fighter going all out for the victory. I’m very thankful to my team for getting me this opportunity and for standing by my side throughout everything. On May 13 I’m winning that title!”
Rances Barthelemy slated for co-main event
Former two-division champion Rances Barthelemy takes on Omar Juarez and Batyr Akhmedov faces Kenneth Sims Jr. to begin the telecast.
The Barthelemy-Juarez bout will take place in the super lightweight division and be a 10-round contest, while Akhmedov and Sims face each other over 12 rounds in a WBA super lightweight title eliminator.
Barthelemy is coming off a loss last July to Gary Antuanne Russell, as he is 29-2-1 in his career with 15 knockouts. Juarez owns a record of 14-1 with five career finishes.
