Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero could see his time as the WBA light welterweight champion end tonight when he defends against the oddsmaker’s favorite Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in the chief support bout on Prime Video PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Personality Factor
Interestingly, many of the fighters in the sport are picking Rolly (15-1, 13 KOs) to win tonight, seemingly basing their views on liking him as a person and thinking he’s a funny person.
Unfortunately, it’s going to require more than Rolly being a personable guy for him to win tonight unless the judges or the referee take a liking to him, too, and give him a break in the judging and officiating of his title defense against Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs).
Apart from the judges and referees giving Rolly favorable treatment, he could have a tough time countering Pitbull Cruz’s threat to the fight.
Athletic competitions are supposed to be based on the actual talent of the fighters, not based on how likable they are, and you’d hate to see another bizarre stoppage like in Rolly’s last fight against Ismael Barroso, which many fans felt was Romero getting preferential treatment.
Expert Predictions
“That’s a great fight with both power punchers. I think Rolly is going to knock him out in round seven or eight,” said Curmel Moton to the Mayweather Channel on YouTube, talking about tonight’s fight between WBA light welterweight champion Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero and Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
“I think that style is going to match-up good for Rolly. Pitbull is going to be there to be hit and land his power shots on. So, Rolly is going to hurt him and finish it. That’s nonbiased.”
“I’m going with Rolly. He has crazy power, one of those powers,” said Nonito Donaire. “If one of those powers lands, it’s going to be tremendous. I know Pitbull is going to go in there rushing because I know he has to cut that ring. So those are the moments he’s vulnerable, so I would say before six.”
Can Romero Pull It Off?
Assuming we don’t see controversial scoring or another mysterious stoppage, Rolly’s 15 minutes of fame as the WBA light welterweight champion could end tonight under the powerful fists of Pitbull Cruz.
Rolly’s best chance of winning the fight tonight is by scoring a knockout, but he will have difficulty pulling that off without standing his ground and letting his hands go. In his fight against 40-year-old Barroso, Rolly was constantly on the move, trying to avoid getting chopped down.