Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero says he’s glad to be returning to the ring to defend his WBA light welterweight title on Amazon Prime PPV on March 30th against 135-pounder Isaac ‘Pitbull Cruz in the co-feature at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Rolly (15-1, 13 KOs) and Cruz are fighting on the undercard of Tim Tszyu vs. Keith Thurman. The PPV price hasn’t been revealed yet, but it’s expected to be in the $70 range, if not more.
Critics Raise Eyebrows at Matchup
Fans believe this is a slick move being done by Romero’s handlers to increase his popularity to set up a rematch with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who will move up to 140, destroy Rolly a second time, and then use the WBA title as leverage for unification against WBC champ Devin Haney.
Even if ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) is victorious on March 30th against Rolly, that would still set the wheels in motion for Tank Davis to move up to 140 and rematch him.
Neither of these fights are in demand by the boxing public, as people want to see Tank fight Haney, Frank Martin, Shakur Stevenson, or Vasily Lomachenko.
They have no interest in seeing a second match against Rolly or Pitbull Cruz, but that could be what happens after the smoke clears for the Rolly-Cruz fight on March 30th.
Romero Defends His Choice
“I’m just happy to kick off Amazon Prime. This is probably the biggest and the best move for boxing. It’s going to bring in a lot of viewers. Amazon is the biggest company in the world, and I’ve even blessed to have them backing me,” said Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero to Fighthype, talking about being placed in the co-feature spot on PBC’s debut with Amazon Prime PPV on March 30th, fighting lightweight Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
“It was always going to be me, the A-side. I’m the champion,” said Rolly about his belief that he would have been the A-side, even if his fight with Ryan Garcia were happening next instead of the less well-known Pitbull Cruz.
“Everyone is disappointed that I’m fighting Pitbull Cruz, but isn’t Pitbull Cruz the more difficult fighter, a stronger fighter, a more durable fighter, a more exciting fighter [than Ryan Garcia]? It just shows that I have the courage, going after Pitbull Cruz [rather than fighting a 140-lb contender]. Boxing needs me,” said Rolly.
