The Case For a Lightweight Showdown Between Devin Haney and Rolly Romero
At the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) overwhelmed late substitute Anthony Yigit (24-2-1, 8 KOs) via a seventh-round TKO. The 25-year-old from Las Vegas was too strong against an opponent coming in off a two-year layoff. Romero is the “interim” WBA World lightweight champion. He’s become a lightning rod with his boasts that he would romp through the elite fighters in a deep and talented lightweight division.
One of the men considered among the very best at 135 is Devin Haney. Currently the WBC World lightweight champion, he must have had his eye on Romero v Yigit. At the fight’s conclusion, the 22-year-old from San Francisco, California went to social media and gave his take on Romero’s victory.
LEGIT BEEF BETWEEN THE TWO
There’s a history here. The two have known each other since the amateurs. As pros, the young guns have not been shy about expressing their disdain for one another.
In December of 2020, Romero posted a pic of Haney dressed like a woman. Then he launched into a full-scale verbal assault, calling Haney a fake champion and “the biggest bitch in boxing”.
Romero said following his win over Yigit that he wants a crack at WBA World ‘Regular’ junior welterweight/WBA World ‘Super’ junior lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, at 140 pounds. However, would it make more sense for him to fight Haney at 135?
It would be a classic matchup of the boxer in Haney versus the puncher in Romero. From a business perspective, a possible match should be rather easy to make. Romero is aligned with PBC while Haney is a free agent.
The bout would also be a hit, particularly with the millennial fanbase. They love it when fighters talk a lot of smack on social media and settle their differences in the ring. Ultimately the question becomes, will we ever see it? On paper, it both would make dollars and it makes plenty of sense.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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