There are a lot many fans and experts who pin their hopes on former WBA Interim Lightweight champion Rolando Romero. He was born on October 14, 1995, in Las Vegas. Son of a Cuban immigrant, before the gloves could lure him, the spotless white Judogi engaged a pre-teen Romero while growing up in the mean streets of the “Sin City.” However, thanks to his father, the tables turned when he was sixteen. Himself a former Cuban national champion, Rolando Sr. introduced his son to the nuances of boxing in 2011.

For the next two years, young Romero started participating in amateur tournaments, amassing twenty-five wins at the cost of ten losses. Unfortunately, he couldn’t clear the 2015 Olympic trials. So the following year, he started practicing at former five-division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.‘s The Mayweather Boxing Club.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. signs up Rolando Romero

Despite being relatively new to the sport, his strength and ability to fight boxers much tougher and more skillful caught Mayweather Jr’s attention. The latter started his Mayweather Promotions promotional venture in 2006 after breaking away from Bob Arum‘s Top Rank. Now visibly impressed by the youngster’s performance, “The Money” signed him up in November 2016.

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A month later, Rolando Romero fought his first professional fight against David Courtney at Nevada’s Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall. He won the battle through a technical knockout early in the first round.

Yesterday the entire boxing community celebrated Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s forty-sixth birthday. “Rolly,” who still feels indebted to his mentor, took to his Instagram handle to share an old photograph reminiscing good old days.

“Rolly” greets the boxing great on his birthday!

It shows Floyd Mayweahter Jr. sitting on the ring floor with Rolando Romero standing by his side. The latter wrote, “The first picture that I ever taken with the champ…the next day I was signed. Happy Birthday to the GOAT (image on post)@floydmayweather.“

Post-debut, the Las Vegas-born fighter had an impressive run for the next five years. He won all fourteen matches, including the title bout against Jackson Martinez on August 15, 2020. Twelve of his victories came through knockouts giving him an excellent 86% knock-out-to-win rate. But the “Rolly” juggernaut came to a halt at New York’s Barclays Center on May 28 last year. The Baltimore-born southpaw and reigning WBA (Regular) Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis thwarted Romero’s attempt to remove his crown.

It was the first defeat of his career. But, reportedly, a recently leaked video footage showing him getting knocked in a fashion similar to that during the May 28 fight has raised a few questions. However, his performance against a vastly superior fighter like Davis impressed quite a few.

According to an article published in “boxingscene.com,” Romero might challenge the reigning WBA (Super) Lightweight champion from Dominican Republic, Alberto Puello, this year. It will be his first attempt at a title in the 140 lbs. division.

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What is your take on the photo? Do share your views and opinions with us in the comments below.