The clock is ticking for Rolando Romero to either reach a deal for his mandatory title defense or sweat out a purse bid hearing.
Unfortunately for the reigning WBA 147lbs titlist, his ordered challenger is no longer in the step-aside market.
Uzbekistan’s Shakhram Giyasov, 17-0 (10 KOs) could not be clearer in his intention to next challenge for the WBA 147lbs title. He has been the number one contender for more than two years and was already twice named as the mandatory.
“No matter who’s had the belt for the past two years, they all find ways to avoid me,” Giyasov told BoxingScene. “I’ve been mandatory for two years and waiting for my shot at the WBA belt.
The most recent ruling came in the current round of negotiations with Las Vegas’ Romero, 17-2 (13 KOs).
The two have until Thursday to agree to terms. Sadly – as it relates to this matter - it appears that Romero’s team has worked harder to secure a higher profile fight with the legendary Manny Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs) than in working out any terms with Giyasov.
“I really don’t care about Rolly and whatever he’s trying to do,” Giyasov insisted. “I only care about my title shot. I don’t care who holds the belt. I’m just asking for one opportunity, the shot that I was promised and that I deserve.
“I don’t want to give anyone else the chance to take another fight. I’ve done that too many times before and nobody is returning that favor for me.”
Giyasov was elevated to the top spot in the WBA 147lbs rankings in October 2023, once it was clear that Vergil Ortiz Jnr was done with the division. The move came four months after Giyasov’s 12-round, unanimous decision win over unbeaten Harold Calderon in their June 2023 title eliminator.
Just three fights have followed for the unbeaten Uzbek, none with any version of the WBA welterweight title at stake.
He was due a shot at then-unbeaten titleholder Eimantas Stanionis earlier this year, but agreed to step aside as a favor to promoter Matchroom Boxing. The concession was made to first allow Jaron “Boots” Ennis to enter an IBF/WBA unification with Stanionis, a fight which carried a WBA ruling that the winner had to next fight Giyasov within 120 days.
Ennis won their April 12 clash via one-sided, 6th round stoppage to unify two titles and inherit Giyasov as a mandatory. Giyasov was granted an undercard slot and maximized the opportunity with a 4th round knockout of Franco Ocampo.
“My last fight, I went into the ring determined to send a message,” Giyasov stated. “The winner of the main event was supposed to fight me. I wanted to give that person something to think about, and I feel like I gave one of my best performances that night.
“But it wasn’t my best – I am saving that for my title fight.”
While the WBA did the honorable thing in ordering the mandatory this time around, the sanctioning body is on the hook for allowing fighters to jump the line ahead of Giyasov.
No explanation was offered as to why Romero and Ryan Garcia were permitted to fight for a secondary version of the WBA 147lbs title in May. Neither had ever officially fought at welterweight – Garcia’s two appearances above junior welterweight were both due to his failing to honor the original fight contract for a 140lbs fights – and adding another version of the belt only further confirmed that the WBA has all but abandoned its previous title reduction campaign.
Romero defeated Garcia via unanimous decision on May 2 in New York City. The timing was perfect, as it was clear by then that Ennis was on borrowed time at 147lbs. Sure enough, he severed ties with his titles not long after his win over Stanionis and announced his intention to campaign at 154lbs, where he currently holds the WBA interim title.
The main benefactor was Romero, who was elevated to full titleholder and thought to be in a position of power. Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) explored the possibility of a Romero-Pacquiao fight, though it appears that such talks have quieted, if not fallen off altogether.
None of that is of any concern to Giyasov, other than the part where Romero is trying to take his title in any other direction.
“I still don’t even know how Rolly got the title,” noted Giyasov. “He wasn’t ranked and neither was Ryan Garcia. Yet, they jumped over me and fought for my title. I don’t know how I got into the position but I really don’t care. Just give me the chance that I am owed. The WBA can figure out who it needs to come against but my next fight will be for the world title.
“My team knows they’re job. I believe in my team, and they know I’m ready whenever the opportunity and whoever is the opponent. It doesn’t matter if it’s Rolly defending the title, if it’s Stanionis or even Manny Pacquiao for the vacant belt. I am training and staying ready, focused on my dream – first, to win one title, and then all four to become the real, undisputed champion.”
