Rolando Romero Takes Out Anthony Yigit
Interim WBA lightweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-0, 12 KO’s) kept his flawless record intact in his latest in-ring effort. He accomplished this by stopping #14 ranked contender Anthony “Can You Dig It” Yigit (24-2-1, 8 KO’s) in the seventh.
Romero was originally slated to face #12 ranked Austin Dulay. However Dulay pulled out of the bout with a knee injury. In his place Yigit was brought in as a last minute full-in.
Rolly was last in the ring six months ago when he stopped Avery Sparrow in the seventh round of their dust-up. Five months prior Romero first secured the interim title over Jackson Marinez via a highly controversial and disputed decision. Now the brash young interim champion is ready to set his sights on the upper echelon of the division.
As for Yigit, this will stand as a costly set back. The sturdy Swede was looking to have a successful entry into the lightweight division but those hopes were brutally dashed. It’s uncertain what his next move will be. Perhaps he will return to the European circuit were he’s enjoyed all his professional success. Or maybe, he will dust himself off remain in the division and continue seeking high profile opposition.
VOLUME VERSUS POWER
Throughout the opening period Romero tried to make good on his promise of a first round knockout. He did this by throwing power shots near exclusively. Rolly landed his fair share but none of them hurt or slowed Yigit. For his part, the challenger remained very mobile and darted in and out with his attack. Yigit routinely ambushed Romero with bursts of short 2-3 punch combinations. Each fighter occasionally snapped their opponents head back.
Toward the end of the third round, Yigit began finding an offensive rhythm. As he was finding a grove Romero’s offense was slowing ever so slightly. During this period it was evident that Rolly is a one-handed fighter. The jabs and hooks thrown with his left were awkward and often times far off the mark. Obviously, he was relying on a hard right hand to save the day for him. Yigit would take an elbow to the face that resulted in a cut under his left eye.
At the end of the fifth, Romero finally was able to hurt and drop his foe with a crunching right hook. After rolling around his shoulder like a drunk break dancer, Yigit beat the count and stumbled back to his corner. The knockdown came right after Romero was deducted a point for rough house tactics. The interim champion was blatantly manhandling and roughhousing Yigit whenever possible.
WHEN THE DEFENSES FALL
At the top of the seventh Rolly dumped the Swede on the canvas with an extremely short right hand. Yigit never fully recovered from the first knockdown and now his legs were soft as satin socks! Moments after getting back to his feet, the challenger found himself getting chewed up on the inside. His balance was nowhere to be found and his offense was null and void.
In this handicapped situation Yigit was dropped a third time by a brutal left hook to the jaw. Having seen enough, referee Rafael Ramos jumped in to halt the destruction.
In the in-ring post fight interview Romero called out regular WBA “regular” junior welterweight and WBA “super” junior lightweight champion Gervonta Davis!
By:Bakari Simpson
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