WBA 140-pound champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero will make the first defense of his title on Saturday night against Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the co-main event on a card that will be headlined by Tim Tszyu and contender Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora, who meet for Tszyu’s WBO title and the vacant WBC 154-pound world title.
Cruz(25-2-1, 17 KOs) is moving up to 140 pounds to challenge Romero (15-1, 13 KOs). The Mexican contender is best known for giving Gervonta Davis his toughest test when he lost in a close unanimous decision in 2021.
However, despite that, Romero, who was stopped by Davis in 2022, feels Cruz will be an easy fight for him.
“Everybody thinks this is gonna be a difficult fight,” Romero said at the final press conference on Thursday. “But I think this is gonna be an easy fight. He’s gonna run right into something, because he’s stupid.
“He’s gonna throw and throw and throw again. He does the same stuff over and over again. I’m ready for it.”
Cruz disagrees.
“If he thinks I’m stupid, then he’s even stupider,” Cruz said. “If he thinks I’m just gonna lay down, he’s very mistaken. He’s gonna realize it on Saturday night.”
After spending his career with trainer Bullet Cromwell, Romero has a new trainer, the legendary Ismael Salas, and Romero believes that it’s making a difference.
“I feel like I’m back at home training with Ismael Salas,” Romero said. “He’s had a big influence on me throughout my whole career really.”
Romero loves the smack talk and says he’ll have something special for Cruz at the end of the night.
“I’m not giving you the belt, but I can give you the chihuahua chain after the fight,” Romero said.
Cruz says Romero won’t be smiling at the end of the fight.
“I’m here to wipe Rolly’s smile off his face and take his belt,” he said. “That’s it. Isaac Cruz is going to be the new world champion.”
Photo: Esther Lin & Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions
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