Rolando “Rolly” Romero just dropped a teaser on Instagram claiming a fight date is locked in. Typical Rolly style. He didn’t name an opponent, a location, or even confirm if his WBA belt is up for grabs. He just threw the spark out there and let the fans go wild with the theories.
The reality on the ground is pretty clear. If Romero wants to hang onto that WBA welterweight strap, he’s basically staring down Shakhram Giyasov. Giyasov has been the mandatory challenger since the start of 2024 and has already been skipped over twice.
The WBA’s patience has run out; it’s officially “put up or shut up” time for the champion.
We all know how Rolly operates. He’s all about the massive paydays and maximum eyeballs. If a giant fight with a bigger name pops up, he’ll drop that belt without blinking. That’s just the Rolly Romero experience, which is exactly why nobody would be surprised if he vacates the title to chase a more lucrative opportunity
From a boxing perspective, Giyasov is a nightmare mandatory. He’s a 2016 Olympic silver medalist with serious power and a high ring IQ. He doesn’t get rattled when things get gritty, and he knows how to apply pressure.
He’s definitely not the “easy win” champions usually look for when forced into a defense. The business side is getting tense, too. Eddie Hearn, who promotes Giyasov, isn’t playing ball with “step-aside” money. He wants the fight or a purse bid, period. That takes away Rolly’s favorite tool for buying time.
Rolly’s been acting like he doesn’t even know who Giyasov is, but the WBA doesn’t care about social media beef. A mandatory is a mandatory. He’s at a massive crossroads: take a dangerous fight for credibility, or ditch the belt to hunt for a mega-event. Both moves are classic Rolly.
If he stays and fights Giyasov, you have to give him props for taking a tough style match. If he walks away, it proves the belt was just a tool for leverage all along.
Ken Woods has been a senior writer at Boxing News 24 since 2013, covering the sport from every angle. With years of ringside reporting, he delivers fight news, results, and analysis that cut through the noise. Ken’s work consistently spotlights champions, contenders, and rising prospects, giving fans a sharp, knowledgeable view of the global boxing scene. His reporting blends on-the-ground event coverage with clear technical insight, making him one of the most reliable voices in modern boxing media.
Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletterRelated Boxing News:
Categories Latest
Boxing News 24 » Rolly Romero Teases a Fight Date as a Mandatory Decision Nears
Last Updated on 01/13/2026