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Rolando “Rolly” Romero is one of the most combustible personalities in American boxing, and his fighting style mirrors that energy. Turning pro in late 2016, the Las Vegas native climbed quickly through the ranks with a crowd-pleasing mix of swagger, physicality, and finishing instinct. After 19 professional bouts he stands at 17–2 with 13 knockouts, a 76.47% KO rate that underlines how frequently his fights tilt toward chaos. Romero is not a textbook welterweight craftsman; instead he thrives on pressure, sharp bursts, and awkward rhythms that pull opponents into his preferred kind of exchange.
At 173 cm tall with a matching 173 cm reach, Romero compensates for average length by exploding into range and throwing power shots from unconventional angles. His best weapon is timing off feints—he’ll show a jab, freeze a reaction, then whip a sudden hook or overhand right. He also likes to lean on opponents, rough them up in clinches, and turn the ring into a physical argument. That approach can look messy, but it’s effective when the opponent can’t establish a steady tempo.
The last few years have shaped him into a genuine world-level threat at two weights. He rebounded from the 2022 stoppage loss to Gervonta Davis by blasting Ismael Barroso in 2023, then took a risky step against Isaac Cruz in 2024 that ended in a late TKO defeat. Romero answered in style with a disciplined decision over Manuel Jaimes and the biggest win of his career so far: a May 2025 unanimous decision over Ryan Garcia in Times Square, where he scored an early knockdown and controlled the fight’s pace. Whether loved or hated, Romero remains a must-watch welterweight because every bout feels like it could ignite at any moment.
Tips / interesting facts:
- Romero’s power often shows early—he hunts momentum in rounds 1–3 before opponents settle.
- He uses feints and sudden rhythm changes to create openings rather than long setups.
- When he wins, it’s usually by forcing a messy fight that breaks the opponent’s timing.
- His right hand is most dangerous after he draws a jab or steps inside a wide hook.
- Romero is at his best when he keeps opponents backing up; if you stand still, he unloads.
Professional Fight History (Box-pro)
| Date | Opponent (record at time) | Result | Venue / City | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Ryan Garcia (24-1-0) | Win (UD) | Times Square, New York | Garcia down R2 |
| Sep 2024 | Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1) | Win (UD) | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | 10 rounds |
| Mar 2024 | Isaac Cruz (25-2-1) | Loss (TKO) | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas | Stopped R8 |
| May 2023 | Ismael Barroso (24-3-2) | Win (TKO) | Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas | Stopped R9 |
| May 2022 | Gervonta Davis (26-0-0) | Loss (TKO) | Barclays Center, Brooklyn | Romero down R6 |
| Jul 2021 | Anthony Yigit (24-1-1) | Win (TKO) | AT&T Center, San Antonio | Yigit down R5 & R7 |
| Aug 2020 | Jackson Marinez (19-0-0) | Win (UD) | Mohegan Sun, Uncasville | 12 rounds |
| 2016–2019 | Multiple opponents | All wins | Primarily Las Vegas venues | Fast-tracked prospect run |
