Rolando Romero has remarkable plans for himself.
Following a sixth-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in a lightweight fight in May, Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) wants to jump up two weight classes to challenge WBC, WBA, and IBF welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr.
“I want Errol Spence Jr. at 147 pounds. I'm moving up. I'm a big 135-pounder. I don't give two f--- about 140 pounds. It's a no-name ass division. I want Spence at 147. I'ma f--- him up. That googly-eyed ass motherf----- – and he ugly as f---,” Romero told FightHype.com.
The 26-year-old Romero’s confidence is still reigning supreme despite suffering his first career loss.
The 5-foot 8-inch Romero has fought exclusively between 132 to 138 pounds ever since turning pro in 2016.
A fight that would more sense than Spence for the Las Vegas-based Romero is a fight with the Texan’s lightweight understudy, Frank Martin (16-0, 12 KOs).
“I don't give a f--- about Frank Martin,” said Romero. “I don't have any problems with Frank Martin. I just like him as a person. Me and him are cool. We've sparred. He's a great fighter. But honestly, I'm a f---ing star and I'm going to go fight another f---ing star, and I want Errol Spence … f--- that sh!t. I'm going after the big fish. I'm moving up to 147.”
Following Martin's 10th-round TKO win against Jackson Marinez -- who arguably beat Romero in 2020 but failed to get a decision on the cards -- Spence said Martin would definitely beat Rolly because he's just a better overall fighter.
“He stopped [Marinez] like he supposed to do, in impressive fashion and done something Rolly didn’t do,” said Spence. “And I don’t think that’s even a logical question to ask him – is he ready for Rolly? Because I don’t think you can name an opponent Rolly beat. So, you know, I mean, he only fought Tank.
“So, I definitely think he’s ready for Rolly. He’ll definitely beat Rolly. He’s just a better fighter than Rolly overall. You know, that’s a fight I think can definitely happen, especially with Rolly coming off a loss and, you know, he need the fight to get back in the mix. So, why not fight Frank Martin?”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.