Coach Calvin Ford Sees Rolly Romero Meeting Tragedy at 140
In their last fight of 2022, chief second Calvin Ford and his charge, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, fought Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KO’s). After doing better than many thought he would, Rolly was finally caught and flattened in the sixth round of that well-watched duel. Then in truly blessed fashion, Romero, 27, moved up in weight and immediately fought for the vacant WBA title.
In that match Rolly tested his might against a 40-year-old Ismael Barroso and was pushed to his limit in doing so. In fact, Romero continued his charmed existence when he benefited from a highly questionable stoppage by veteran referee Tony Weeks. Romero was behind on all scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Nevertheless, regardless of the path he traveled to get it, Rolando Romero is now the WBA super lightweight world champion. And this is a distinction that, as Ford explained to Mill City Boxing, could be a dangerous one for Rolly to hold.
“He been crushed by Tank . . . then he came back and got dropped by the old man right? . . . what that tell yall? Now he going up to 140 and he got a belt?! That sounds like a recipe for retirement!”
THE DANGER ZONE
To echo the sentiments of Coach Ford, it is remarkably strenuous to envision Rolly toppling any of his fellow champions: Josh Taylor (WBO), Regis Prograis (WBC) or Subriel Matias (IBF). While he may talk up a handsome gate and pay-per-view numbers, come fight night, Romero is not likely to do anything outside of getting roughed up and denuded of his title. For his sake, let’s hope that Romero continues down his charmed path, because at the moment he appears to be woefully ill-equipped to navigate his current shark-infested waters.
