In the visceral world of professional boxing, one expects punches to fly and tempers to flare, but rarely do referees find themselves in the crosshairs of such heated controversy. On the evening of May 14, 2023, a fight between Rolly Romero and Ismael Barroso took an unexpected twist. The match was abruptly halted by referee Tony Weeks, declaring Romero the winner by TKO, and the newly crowned WBA Super Lightweight Champion.

This sudden stoppage, deemed odd by many, was not the crescendo fans anticipated. As the dust settled in the ring, a storm of discontent was brewing elsewhere. An unexpected protagonist emerged from this contest, but it wasn’t one wearing gloves. As the bell tolled for the end of the bout, it also rang in an uproar that would echo far beyond the confines of the boxing arena.

Fan reactions to the controversial stoppage

The controversy surrounding the fight centers on the sudden decision by referee Tony Weeks to stop the match at an unexpected moment. Despite both fighters actively exchanging blows, none appeared to land with substantial impact. Yet, the contest was halted, and Rolly Romero was declared the winner.

In response, SHOWTIME Boxing posted a video of the fight’s conclusion on their Twitter account, leading to a deluge of reactions. Fans, grappling with the unexpected turn of events, didn’t hold back their opinions.

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Santos Rivera-Cardona, felt for the losing fighter: “Barroso got robbed big time. This is a disgrace!!! I never thought I would see something like this.”

iWebb encapsulated the sentiment of many, expressing, “This is the reason why PROFESSIONAL BOXING IS DYING!!!” The disappointment was palpable, with fans questioning the integrity of the decision and the sport itself.

Jan #GiantsPride echoed this sentiment, calling for accountability: “If you ask me that’s a terrible call by the official and he should be fired.”

John Frascella, a football analyst, viewed this incident as a symptom of a broader issue, stating, “I would say ‘one of the worst endings ever,’ but the entire sport of boxing is going this way. Everything rigged on scorecards, or stoppages or guys taking knees and quitting fights.”

Even the winner’s future prowess was put into question, with BigEdTheDrummer expressing skepticism about Romero’s prospects, “Trash stoppage….no chance Romero ‘takes over’ the 140-lb division. Mediocre fighter with a little bit of pop at best, but he isn’t anything close to an elite fighter.”

This event, and the fan reactions it spurred, have sparked vital discussions about fairness, integrity, and the future of professional boxing. Questions about oversight, governance, and the role of referees have been brought to the forefront. Will this incident lead to changes in the sport, or will it be dismissed as just another moment of controversy in a sport that thrives on it?

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Do you think this controversial decision will be a catalyst for a change in professional boxing?

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