Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso fight prediction, odds, undercard, start time, Showtime Boxing
CBSN
The pair of super lightweights meet for the vacant WBA title on Saturday night in Las Vegas
Even a dedicated boxing fan would be forgiven for not fully understanding the factors that led to Saturday's fight between Rolando Romero and Ismael Barroso having the WBA super lightweight title on the line. For starters, the Showtime Boxing main event wasn't even supposed to feature Barroso in the first place, despite his waiting more than three years for a title shot.
Romero was originally set to face champion Alberto Puello in the main event. That matchmaking was already a bit suspect, with Romero having no meaningful experience at 140 pounds and coming off a brutal knockout loss to Gervonta "Tank" Davis in his most recent outing. Puello was forced out of the bout after failing a VADA drug test, however, and the WBA decided to move him to "champion in recess" status as the bout between Romero and Barroso -- who stepped up on late notice -- was now for the world title.
Barroso won a WBA secondary title in December 2019 with a decision win over Yves Ulysse Jr. After former undisputed champion Josh Taylor was stripped of his WBA belt in May 2022 because his team failed to respond to an order he defend against Puello, who held mandatory status, the WBA then took an odd path to determine how to crown a new champion.
