Can Rolly Romero Flip the Division To Become The Face of Boxing?
While the match is not presently official, all signs are pointing to a unification duel between WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero and WBO 147-pound champion Devin “The Dream” Haney. The two teams have been in on-going talks and most feel this announcement is but a formality. Should Romero claim victory, his spoils would include a new title as unified welterweight champion. But, is it possible he could also become the new face of boxing?
Of the sport’s most currently recognizable fighters, one would be hard-pressed to unearth a person who elicits more dramatic reactions than Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KO’s). Truthfully, a good measure of the attention Haney attracts is the ire and disdain of his detractors. Yet, like the great Floyd “Money” Mayweather proved, being a villain in this sport can be financially empowering. But does Romero have the ability to dethrone Haney and steal his juice?
THE REDEMPTIVE RISE OF ROMERO
Not long ago, Rolly was openly considered to be little more than an awkward joke in the division. Virtually every fighter in or around his weight yelled from the mountain tops that he lacked skill, coordination, seriousness or the ability to rule as a champion. Fighters such as Regis Prograis, a former Haney victim, are on the record proclaiming that even accepting a match with Romero would be a blemish on his resume. Regardless of this blatant ridicule, Romero carried on with his career.
Over the past four years, Rolly went several rounds with Gervonta Davis before getting stopped and was thoroughly outworked when facing Isaac Cruz. Outside of these two duels, in his last at-bat, Romero surprised many by knocking down and outpointing a very gun-shy Ryan Garcia who is now the WBC welterweight champion. Curiously enough, these tough fights and oftentimes dubious outcomes have been favorable to Rolly.
A POSSIBLE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION?
In reality, Rolly (17-2, 13 KO’s) has not shown a ton of improvement over the past few years. However, the conversation around him has. Many in the industry no longer label him as the inherent Bad New Bears brand of sour bet as he once was. In fact, even Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, stated that he saw measurable improvement in Rolly. One will have to guess if this is truthful, sarcasm or merely trying to butter up and properly bait his next sought-after foe.
What is not up for debate is the fact that Romero would experience a huge leap in attention, popularity and legitimacy, if he was able to topple Devin Haney. Yet, the question remains: if Rolly defeated Haney, would the boxing world accept him as a true talent? Or would he simply be regarded as a heavy-handed goofball who landed a lucky punch? Only time will tell.
Safe to say, if Rolly did legitimately beat Devin Haney, it would certainly send shockwaves throughout the sport. So first let’s see if the match comes to fruition. Then, let’s see if Romero can shock the world and serve all his contemporaries a cold plate of crow.
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