Rolando “Rolly” Romero has claimed that he has no idea who his mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov actually is.
Romero claimed the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title back in May with a victory over Ryan Garcia at Times Square, New York. It was an upset win for Romero, and things got even better for the Las Vegas resident after Jaron “Boots” Ennis decided to move up to 154lbs and vacated the ‘super’ version of the belt. Romero has since been promoted to full champion by the WBA and ordered to face mandatory challenger Giyasov, who had been patiently waiting for his shot at the title.
The Uzbek is by no means one of the big names in the division, and Giyasov’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed to BoxingScene last month that Romero had applied for an exemption to explore a more lucrative fight with Manny Pacquiao instead. So, Romero was asked for an update on his ordered bout with Giyasov.
“I don't even know who that is,” Romero told BoxingScene. “I've never seen the dude fight. So if I don't know you, I do not owe you.”
Romero was then reminded that Giyasov was in fact the mandatory challenger for his WBA welterweight title.
“I just don't know who that is,” he said in response.
So is Romero instead focusing on a bout with Pacquiao?
“Oh man, I ain't even going to lie, I've just been focused on my own personal life mission right now,” said Romero.
Romero then revealed that he has been having a break from boxing and would be making a decision on the fight “when [he] feels like it”.
