This coming Saturday, May 13, Rolando “Rolly’’ Romero will be pitted against the top contender Ismael Barroso for the available WBA Super Lightweight World Title. The event will be live-streamed from The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ Chelsea venue on SHOWTIME, headlining a Premier Boxing Champions program. The showdown between these two aggressive fighters, both known for their power punches, promises to be another captivating 140-pound title contest in a division already teeming with skill.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® broadcast starts at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will showcase two more super lightweight clashes. The co-main event will feature former double-division world champion Rances Barthelemy taking on the dynamic Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez in a 10-round super lightweight battle. Opening the telecast, top super lightweight contenders Batyr Akhmedov and Kenneth Sims Jr. will square off in a 12-round duel for the WBA Super Lightweight World Title Eliminator.
WHAT TIME IS ROMERO VS. BARROSO?
Date: Saturday, May 13
Start time: 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. BST
Showtime will broadcast the fight in the U.S.
The fight will take place in The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The main card is set to get underway at 9 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. BST with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. BST.
Alberto Puello, the previous holder of the WBA 140-pound title, is no longer in the main event following a failed VADA test.
Romero (14-1, 12 KOs), a member of the Mayweather Promotions team, is renowned for his bold statements, power punches, and thrilling, one-of-a-kind style, making his appearances in the ring must-watch events. Romero will be stepping back into the ring after his May 2022 loss to three-division champion Gervonta Davis. Before this, Romero secured an interim title in August 2020 with a tight but unanimous win over the then undefeated Jackson Marinez. The 27-year-old followed this up with two knockout victories, first dominating Avery Sparrow with a seventh-round stoppage in January 2021 and then defeating former title challenger Anthony Yigit with a seventh-round stoppage in July 2021 after three knockdowns.
Romero stated, “Regardless of who I fight on May 13, I’m a star, and I’m going to shine. I’m thrilled to put on a show in my hometown, Las Vegas, and for everyone tuning in on SHOWTIME. I won’t leave the ring without that belt.”
Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs), a seasoned fighter, is aiming to win a WBA title for the second time. He fell short in his previous world title pursuit, losing to Anthony Crolla for a lightweight championship in 2016. Barroso, originally from Tigre, Venezuela, and now residing in Miami, Fla., has claimed victory in four consecutive fights – three by knockout – after suffering two consecutive defeats in 2018. His latest triumph was a fourth-round knockout against Fernando David Saucedo last August, propelling him to the No. 1 contender spot for the WBA 140-pound title.
ROMERO VS. BARROSO FIGHT CARD
Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso; Super lightweight
Botirzhon Akhmedov vs. Kenneth Sims Jr; Super lightweight
Rances Barthelemy vs. Omar Juarez; Super lightweight
Esteuri Metiver Suero vs. Starling Castillo; Super lightweight
Michael Angeletti vs. Michell Banquez; Bantamweight
Chavez Barrientes vs. Juan Centeno; Super bantamweight
Angel Barrientes vs. Sharone Carter; Super bantamweight
Justin Viloria vs. Pedro Pinillo; Super featherweight
David A. Whitmire vs. Javier Vargas; Light middleweight
Yojanler Martinez vs. Dario Guerrero-Meneses; Super middleweight
