By Craig Daly: Ismael Barroso may have found out the hard way what Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero meant when he said he’s given “special privileges” in his controversial ninth round TKO loss on Saturday night at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Barroso (24-4-1, 22 KOs) can’t understand why referee Tony Weeks stepped in and stopped the fight in the ninth round when he was going toe-to-toe with Rolly (15-1, 13 KOs), who he says isn’t a big puncher.
Barroso wants an opportunity for a rematch with Romero so he can show the fans that he’s the better fighter. Rolly, however, has already said that the only guy he wants next is Ryan Garcia, and he feels that with the vacant WBA light welterweight title that he won tonight, he’s got the bait to reel in the big fish.
If Ryan doesn’t choose to take the fight, Rolly says he’ll move up to 147 and pursue a PPV bout against IBF, WBA & WBC welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. Rolly only wants PPV fights, and he says there isn’t anyone at 140 that is popular enough to meet his requirements other than Ryan Garcia.
“It wasn’t fair. Why? That’s what I want to know,” said Ismael Barroso to the media in his message for referee Tony Weeks. “I thought Romero was a fighter of a higher level that was more powerful, but when I felt his punches, I didn’t really feel them at all.
“In the end, I felt like I was going toe-to-toe with him. I always said my strength doesn’t come from my age. It comes from God. I feel just as good as I did when I was 30. I said that at the press conference, and I can go toe-to-toe with any 30-year-old out there.
“God’s strength can’t be compared to a human. I have God’s strength, and I’m blessed,” said Barroso when told that Rolly said that he punches much harder than Gervonta Davis.
“All I ask is an opportunity for a rematch and to show the fans I can give an even better fight. I want to go out there and really go after him. So give me the chance. That’s all I’m asking for.
“I’m going to g back to Venezuela and spend a couple of weeks vacationing with the family and then see what goes on from there.
“Bring on the best there is. I want people to shut the hell up when it comes to underestimating me for my age. Stop underestimating me. I know what I’m capable of. I’m at the top of my game, and I want to fight the best,” said Barroso.
