LAS VEGAS – Ismael Barroso obviously wants a rematch with Rolando “Rolly” Romero.

The hard-hitting Venezuelan contender clearly deserves a second shot at Romero based on the controversial stoppage of their 140-pound title fight in the ninth round Saturday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Barroso realizes, though, that Romero isn’t likely to agree to a rematch.

“He’s not gonna wanna fight me again because when I hit him, he felt my power,” Barroso told BoxingScene.com. “He’s not gonna wanna feel it again.”

The 40-year-old Barroso landed a left hand that dropped Romero in the third round. Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) was largely reluctant to engage with Barroso (24-4-2, 22 KOs) after enduring that knockdown, but Romero hurt the powerful southpaw with a left hook in the ninth round.

Romero pushed Barroso to the canvas after he connected with that left hook. Referee Tony Weeks nevertheless counted it as a knockdown for Romero.

Later in the ninth round, Weeks strangely stepped between them and stopped their fight. Barroso slipped most of Romero’s punches during the sequence that led to the stoppage and landed a punch of his own just before Weeks halted the action.

“I thought I was winning every single round,” Barroso said. “I felt really good. But then again, it’s the ref that has the power to make that kind of decision. All I can hope for now is to get the rematch and show what I’m worth once again.”

Barroso was ahead on all three scorecards entering the ninth round. Judges Steve Weisfeld (78-73), David Sutherland (77-74) and Tim Cheatham (76-75) had Romero behind by five, three and one point, respectively, after eight rounds.

Osmiri Fernandez, Barroso’s trainer and manager, informed BoxingScene.com that Barroso’s team will file a protest on his behalf with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Fernandez also said they will request that the WBA order an immediate rematch of a fight that was contested for the vacant WBA super lightweight title.

“All I ask for is an opportunity for the rematch and to show the fans that I can be an even better fighter,” Barroso said. “I wanna go out there and really go after him. So, give me the chance. That’s all I’m asking for.”

Barroso was the WBA’s mandatory challenger for its 140-pound championship. He replaced Alberto Puello as the fifth-ranked Romero’s opponent last month, once Puello tested positive for clomiphene, a banned substance.

The Dominican Republic’s Puello (21-0, 10 KOs) has been relegated to champion in recess. The WBA is expected to strip him if his B sample submitted to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association is positive for clomiphene.

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.