Rolly Romero Boxed In by Giyasov Mandatory as WBA Shuts the Door

Rolando “Rolly” Romero appears locked into a mandatory defense of his WBA welterweight title against Shakhram Giyasov in his next fight.

Romero’s efforts to secure a higher profile title defense against Manny Pacquiao stalled after the WBA declined to grant an exception to bypass Giyasov, whose mandatory position has been unresolved for more than a year. The sanctioning body’s position has hardened after multiple delays, leaving little room for maneuvering.

The timing has worked against Romero. Giyasov’s challenge has already been postponed twice, a situation that quietly built pressure behind the scenes. The WBA has now signaled that the matter must be settled, and Romero, having recently secured the belt, is the champion tasked with clearing the backlog.

Giyasov, a 2016 Olympian, has remained patient while holding his place in the rankings. His promoter Eddie Hearn, and manager Vadim Kornilov have consistently pressed the sanctioning body to enforce the mandatory, framing the delays as excessive. There has been no public indication that Giyasov is willing to accept another step aside, particularly with his title opportunity already deferred multiple times.

On paper, the matchup presents a genuine test. Giyasov, now 32, is a disciplined and technically sound fighter who applies steady pressure and maintains structure over long stretches. He has shown durability and composure under fire, traits that tend to neutralize Romero’s more chaotic offensive style. Unlike Romero’s last opponent, Ryan Garcia, Giyasov is not known for disengaging after being dropped or hurt.

From Romero’s perspective, the appeal is limited. The financial upside is modest compared with potential bouts against Pacquiao or Devin Haney, while the risk is substantial. Mandatory defenses of this kind often carry more downside than reward, particularly for champions seeking to build commercial momentum.

Whether Romero’s team can reopen discussions around a financial resolution remains uncertain. For now, the WBA’s stance has left Romero facing a challenger who has waited through multiple delays and appears intent on finally cashing in his position.