WBA Orders Rolly Romero to Defend His Title Against a Mandatory Challenger

It has almost been a year since Gervonta Davis bid Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero an excellent long night at New York City’s Barclays Center. But the newly crowned WBA Super Lightweight champion finds his hands full. Barely had he concluded the business with the Venezuelan Ismael Barroso on May 13, WBA released the walking papers. The governing body wants him to shield his belt from a mandatory challenger.

After the knockout defeat at the hands of ‘Tank’ Davis, Romero decided to move up a division. He challenged the Dominican Alberto Puello, who held the WBA belt. But the latter’s failure to come clean from drug tests led to him vacating the title. Now Ismael Barroso, who substituted Puello and Romero, needed to slug it out and resolve the riddle. Unfortunately, a controversial stoppage settled the match in favor of the American boxer.

Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero heave-ho!

Romero proudly held his belt over the boos and cheers at The Cosmopolitan. However, it seems WBA wants him to have a full plate. Now he must defend his title from Ohara Davies, the mandatory challenger, and get into a thirty-day negotiation phase with the Englishman’s team. According to the WBA regulations, “A boxer who obtains a title in an eliminatory fight for a vacant title must make his initial title defense as follow: Non-Heavyweight division: Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date the title was obtained.”

Hence ‘Rolly’ Romero has time till September 13. Moreover, according to the governing body, a clause binds the boxer preventing him from taking on a fighter other than an official challenger – “Within sixty (60) days of the expiration of the mandatory defense period.” Floyd Mayweather Jr.‘s promotions manage Romero, while Lee Eaton, who runs ‘Let’s GO Management’, takes care of Davies. Thus, both camps have time till June 29 to conclude the terms and conditions of the fight and purses.

According to an article published on BoxingScene, WBA took measures to inform both Romero and Davies’ teams. Thus, tieing up the American boxer’s hands from going around and negotiating some other deal.

Read More: “This One Is for Barroso”: Ryan Garcia, Willing to Avenge Ismael Barroso’s Loss, Accepts ‘Rolly’ Romero’s Challenge

What’s your take on WBA’s decision on ‘Rolly’ Romero? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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