Rolando “Rolly” Romero: A Punch Away From Immortality

“How many times do you read about ‘the Cinderella story,’ the story of the underdog, the story of the ordinary human being, often subjected to cruelty and ignorance and neglect, who somehow triumphs?” -Kenneth Branagh

They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and when you dive into the story of Romero’s father (Romero Sr) and how he swam for days while watching his friends drown on his quest to immigrate from Cuba to provide a better life for his loved ones. Romero’s father managed to beat death, but you’re telling me his son (Rolly) can’t stop a man with two arms and legs who bleeds just like all of us? I think not.

All the fuss and talk aside, what does Rolando Romero bring to the table in tonight’s colossal showdown? Well, firstly, delusional confidence. Yes, you head it right.

There’s a fine line between supreme confidence and delusion, but Rolly is walking right on that line which is why some experts suggest that Romero doesn’t truly understand what he got himself in. However, that ignorant level of confidence will actually help Romero in tonight’s firefight. Just like the great Thomas Grey said, “Ignorance is bliss.”

When asked why he’s tremendously confident about knocking out Davis, Rolly said, “Do you know what’s the best information in the world? It’s the information I know that you don’t know.” That quote made me pause for a second.

What does Rolando Romero really know that we don’t know? Well, here’s what we do know; Both Davis and Romero have been training at the famous Mayweather boxing gym for years, which indicates that Romero was present for countless sparring sessions and gym wars that “Tank” had been in. Moreover, Romero claims that Davis was dropped and rocked at Mayweather’s gym on plenty of occasions.

To the public, we’ve never really seen Davis in a world of trouble throughout his explosive career, which is why many view him as this mythical fighter, including his past rivals. However, to those who have seen Davis vulnerable behind closed doors won’t think of him as such. And you know who also witnessed countless Davis sparring sessions? Rolando’s head coach, Bullet Cromwell.

That being said, surely I’m not suggesting that these are the reasons why Romero will shock the masses tonight. However, in a game of inches where every single link matters to the equation, these factors unquestionably play a massive part in Romero’s mental edge, but there’s more…

“Styles make fights” is an old phrase we’ve heard for the longest. So, stylistically, what does it take to dethrone the pound-for-pound wrecking ball(Davis)? Well, in this majestic sport, history is the most potent proof of what’s about to unfold, and history shows that Gervonta Davis doesn’t have the same power and finesse while fighting on the back-foot. In fact, most, if not all, power punchers aren’t as effective going backwards. The latest glaring example is Deontay Wilder.

Deontay Wilder fought forty-seven fighters that didn’t apply intelligent pressure on him, and all of them got knocked out. However, when Wilder fought a bigger man with no respect or regard for his power(Tyson Fury), we all know what happened then.

Romero is bigger, stronger and more willing to take risks than Davis. And by no means am I comparing Romero to Fury, but again, styles make fights.

While we’re using history as a horoscope, there’s a fight that took place on January 25th, 2003, where the circumstances of tonight’s clash mirror the shocker that took place almost twenty years ago.

Most boxing fans compare Rolando Romero’s brash persona and reckless street-ish fighting style to former champion Ricardo Mayorga. Many might not remember this, but on January 25th, 2003, Ricardo Mayorga was brought in as an easy touch for former pound-for-pound king Vernon Forrest.

The ten to one favourite(Forrest) was supposed to steamroll through the unknown Mayorga on his HBO debut after getting his first multi-million dollar contract following his destruction of Shane Mosley. And what happened? Well, Mayorga forced Forrest into a brawl and knocked him out cold in two rounds. Davis is a ten to one favourite coming into tonight’s clash. Coincidence? I guess we’ll find out.

Unquestionably, Gervonta Davis is the truth. However, every elite fighter that ever lost was also legit. It’s boxing. Anything can happen, and all it takes is one punch on the right spot to flip the entire game on its head and claim immortality.

Every dog has their day, but will it be today? A gun fight will take place, and by the time the smoke clears, we’ll know who’s the last man standing live on Showtime Pay-Per-view.