Rolando Romero says Marinez was no problem
Following the announcement of the judges’ score cards against Jackson “El Fenix” Marinez (19-1, 7 KO’s), few believed that Rolando “Rolly” Romero (12-0, 10 KO’s) actually deserved the decision. Yet, like it or not, that is who the judges gave the prizefight to.
Following the ruling, Twitter was abuzz with fans and fighters alike insisting that Rolly was presented a corrupt gift decision. Luckily for Romero, he is not taking any of the nay saying to heart.
I WON!
For the Las Vegas native, there is no question that he won the contest. Granted, he does acknowledge that he is a work in progress. However, he still feels that he pressed the action, landed the bigger shots and therefore was deserving of the ruling. However, it was troubling that Rolly was unwilling to give Marinez much credit outside of being ‘slick’.
Obviously, someone is going to have to explain to Romero that there is a significant difference between “consistent aggression” and “effective aggression”. While it’s true that Rolly pressed forward all night, it’s also true that El Fenix masterfully played the role of matador to his bull. And the inability to give credit to his opponent may cause him grief in the future.
“I took the victory, I am going to move on, I’m going to get better and better and better. I came into this sport seven and a half years ago, I have eleven fights, I have never fought a twelve rounder, I never fought a ten rounder.”
“And I fought one eight rounder, so that’s two rounds. So I am just going to move forward from this and get better and better. This was my first real camp to fight for twelve rounds. This was my first camp to actually step up, you know? I am happy, regardless of everything I won my belt, I am happy.”
“…we all have bad performances, but I don’t think I did a bad performance. You guys all say that I did a bad performance, I don’t think I did a bad performance , I think I won! I think I won the fight no problem. I pressed the entire fight, I attacked the entire fight, I landed the harder shots, I hurt him to the body, I hurt him on top. So it’s hard to knockout someone that doesn’t want to attack, that doesn’t want to do anything.”
THE NEXT MOVE
Since this is being viewed as such an atrocious decision, it’s a good thing that Rolly is open to the notion of a rematch.
“Yea, there is no problem, he didn’t do anything special.”
Yet, with this fight behind him, rather than rematch with Marinez once again, Romero would much rather turn his attention to the champions in the lightweight division. And for this reason, he is hopeful that this shaky victory will entice them enough to sign on the dotted line.
“I hope they do! They’re [lightweight champions] still not going to fight me. Regardless, they are still not going to fight me. I hope that they get in the ring with me!”
Let’s just sit back and see what is next for the new interim WBA world lightweight champion Rolando Romero.
By: Bakari Simpson
