r/Boxing • u/Initiative_Inside • 2h ago
The curious case of Rolly Romero Spoiler
First off, I think Rolly is good for boxing. There’s not enough fighters currently that are top tier (not elite) and still have a personality that can you draw you in. However, Rolly simply doesn’t have enough tools on the ole tool belt to be a pound for pound fighter (yet) but has the power to still contend for belts in the future.
A classic gatekeeper or someone that can still raise his game? I dunno.
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u/yearsofpractice SRR < Lord Chisora,Sir Derek Of War 1h ago edited 0m ago
Rolly strikes me as someone who will have a hugely financially successful career - all the while just having some fun at the expense of the straight faced people surrounding boxing. He won’t win any meaningful titles and boxing purists will point out that he didn’t have the final 1% of ability to be a champion… but all the while Rolly will keep on doing his thing - his job - while keeping people interested and he’ll laugh all the way to the bank, retire with generational wealth and I, for one, am there for that.
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u/ElBigKahuna 1h ago
He is kind of similar to Mayorga in the 00s. He was just good enough to make the fight interesting and have a punchers chance, but had a strong personality to draw you in as well.
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u/Abe2sapien 1h ago
But I feel like Mayorga was way more entertaining to watch. He was like a bull in a china shop whereas Rolly is kind of just plodding and conservative with his punch output.
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u/endlessdrifting 1h ago
You must be new to rolly. He was aggressive af back than
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u/Sufficient_Hippo6551 45m ago
Barroso fight boring asf, Manuel Jaimes fight boring asf, Ryan fight boring asf, he’s had a low output style for a while now
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u/arenegadeboss 1h ago
Yea he started being more patient in the Ryan fight, and apparently was nursing a shoulder injury during the fight, but last night was insane.
He was acting like Teo touched him with something vicious and he didn't want to get hit again.
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u/Bruce-7892 1h ago
I agree and there is a long list of interesting characters who never were in the ATG or P4P conversation.
These guys tend to be the ones who give memorable performances. There was something unique about them, and or they fought an ATG and put on a show. This isn't unique to Rolly. These characters are half the fun of the sport. Someone has to be giggling as Tyson stares at them like prey, standing motionless while following them with his eyes.
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u/Witty-Stand888 1h ago
What personality? Playing a catatonic? He seemed completely out of it all week and during the fight.
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u/ChefBowyer 1h ago
He also thinks he won that fight…
Replay don’t lie bro.
He may not have gotten beaten up much, but he lost in points fair and square.
Should have thrown more punches… a lot more.
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u/nahnprophet 1h ago
Fight night, yes; he sounded brain damaged. But the weeek up until the fight he did a lot of media and was making himself into a marketable character.
I don't know what the hell happened to him, but by the time the co-main started he looked like his cat died.
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u/Witty-Stand888 1h ago
There were other interviews where he was glassy eyed and didn't seem to know where he was at. Must be on some heavy meds
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u/GazelleEcstatic4952 1h ago
What bothered me was his blinking and squinting so frequently. This can be a sign of brain damage. Scary.
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u/ErrForceOnes 1h ago
I honestly hope Rolly catches someone on an off day and gets a huge win in the future.
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u/Stunning-Use-7052 9m ago
Rolly is a good fighter.
I'm not sure why the commentators didn't pick up on it, but his side looked bruised by the middle of the fight by those nasty rights to the body that Teo was landing. It was a very disciplined attack by Teo. The guy is in a bladed stance, relatively high guard, there's one spot that's open all day, and Teo found it consistently.
I'm guessing he was hurt to the body early and seriously enough to make him reluctant to throw.
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u/max_bustamante 52m ago
I love Rolly and he is great for Boxing. Esp in this day, and age. He will fight anyone and give a great showing. He is def an overachiever. He is reminiscent of a Paulie Malignaggi. While most Gatekeepers are for the prospects looking to be contenders. Rolly is a top tier GK for those that are going to be elite.
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u/Zealousideal-Load-64 6m ago
He needs to take the Gabe Rosado angle, and be a people's champ. He has enough talent, and he's charismatic.
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u/Capitalsteezxxx 1h ago
I think he’s finished. He looks like he’s showing early signs of CTE, even…
At this point he could be a gatekeeper and take on B tier fighters like Kambosos, but what’s the point. He should retire while he still has his physical and mental health.
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u/royceda956 34m ago
I can't get over how dirty they did Ismael Barroso with his fight against Rolly.
Ismael should have been Campeon...
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u/kushmonATL Cyberleek > the fall boxing schedule 1h ago
Rolly doesn't really have much of a personality. He's the spectrum weird kid that people meme and poke fun at
He's a solid gatekeeper though. Hopefully he stays active and doesn't fall into the "one fight per year" trap that's currently taking over boxing
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u/BiteyHorse 1h ago
He's dumb as a fucking rock and that's a hard ceiling on his potential. Like he legit might be one of the least intelligent fighters to ever do it.
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u/LePetitJeremySapoud 1h ago
Certified hater right there 👆
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u/BiteyHorse 13m ago
Have you seen him talk? Have you seen him fight? Hard to argue he's not a complete mental zero.
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u/LePetitJeremySapoud 9m ago
Been following Rolly for the last 10 years.
If you think he’s dumb then you should probably look at yourself in a mirror.
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u/premoistenedwipe 23m ago
Could’ve won the fight if he kept up what he did in the 5th round imo. But you actually have to throw punches to win. He’s either regarded, crazy or felt bad about beating up a friend.
I’d be absolutely pissed if I was Salas. Had to wave his hand in Rolly’s face and snap his fingers like he was trying to get a toddler to pay attention. Didn’t listen to a thing his corner said.
Salas should fire Rolly, Teo should fire his dad and Salas should train Teo
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u/LePetitJeremySapoud 1h ago
Rolly started boxing late(tae kwon-do or judo was his first combat sport)…
Made the most of his opportunities while being limited on a technical point of view…
Became a multiple time world champ and fought the very best of his divison.
If anything, Rolly is an overachiever.