Fighting for gold and falling short in his last bout, Rolando Romero is ready to take advantage of a second attempt at becoming a world champion. The former interim WBA lightweight champion heads to super lightweight to face Ismael Barroso for the WBA super lightweight title.
The fight is inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and airs on Showtime in the U.S.
Romero was supposed to fight Alberto Puello for the title, but the latter tested positive for a banned substance, forcing him out of the bout and making him "champion in recess," per the WBA. It's Romero's first fight since losing to WBA (Regular) lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in May 2022. A year later, Romero wants his crowning moment, regardless of who he is facing.
"I’m excited to become a world champion on May 13," said Romero. "Everyone knows what I bring to the ring. It’s gonna be an entertaining show."
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Turning pro in 2005, Barroso fought to a draw in his first pro bout. He won the interim WBA lightweight title in 2015 against Kevin Mitchell but lost to champion Anthony Crolla in 2016. Since that fight, he is 5-2 in his past seven bouts and on a four-fight win streak.
The rest of the Showtime-produced card will also feature super lightweights, with veterans and rising stars looking to make an impact within the rankings. Here's a look into the entire main card of Romero vs. Barroso.
Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso undercard
Rances Barthelemy vs. Omar Juarez
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Barthelemy record: 29-2-1, one no contest
- Juarez record: 14-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Rances Barthelemy faces Omar Juarez in super lightweight action. A Cuban junior national championship winner, Barthelemy (29-2-1, one no contest) turned pro in 2009. In 2014, competing for the IBF super featherweight title, he fought Argenis Mendez to a no-contest, but won the belt a few months later via unanimous decision. "Kid Blast" beat Denis Shafikov in 2015 for the IBF lightweight title, but in 2018 he failed to capture the WBA super lightweight title against Kiryl Relikh.
Barthelemy fought Robert Easter Jr. to a draw in 2019 for the WBA lightweight title and has gone 2-1 since. In his last bout in 2022, he lost to Gary Antuanne Russell via TKO.
"I’m looking forward to putting on a good show against a young, hungry fighter like Omar Juarez," said Barthelemy. "I want to thank everyone who put me in this position and made this fight happen. At this stage in my career, it’s about building my legacy, and that means getting a knockout on May 13. My hands will be flying when that bell rings."
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Turning pro in 2018, Juarez (14-1) is currently on a four-fight win streak. "El Relampago" last fought in December, beating Austin Dulay via unanimous decision.
"This is the biggest fight of my life, and I’m grateful to my team for making it happen," said Juarez. "Rances brings a tremendous amount of experience to the ring, so I know that I have to make the proper adjustments as this fight goes on. I know if I win this fight, big doors will continue to open for me. So believe me when I say that I’m coming to win and win impressively."
Batyr Akhmedov vs. Kenneth Sims Jr.
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Akhmedov record: 9-2
- Sims record: 19-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card: Batyr Akhmedov vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. Akhmedov (9-2) is a 2015 International Kadyrov Tournament gold medalist. Turning pro in 2017, Akhmedov lost against Mario Barrios for the WBA super lightweight title in 2019. Following a two-fight win streak, "Batuhan Gozgec" lost his last bout in August, again falling short in capturing the WBA super lightweight title, this time against Alberto Puello.
"I’m looking forward to my return to the ring this May," said Akhmedov. "My goal has always been to win a world championship, and I have faith in myself. The fans know that I’m always in exciting fights, and this matchup is going to be more of the same."
Sims (19-2-1) turned pro in 2014. "Bossman" is on a six-fight win streak since 2019. His last bout was a TKO win against Rock Myrthil in December.
"I’m really excited about this fight," said Sims. "This is what I’ve been asking for and will bring the best out in me. I believe that Akhmedov won his last fight and should be champion right now. This is not gonna be an easy task, but I will prove that I belong with the big names in the 140-pound division."
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Here's how the rest of the undercard looks:
- Esteuri Metiver Suero vs. Starling Castillo; Super Lightweight
- Michael Angeletti vs. Michell Banquez; Bantamweight
- Chavez Barrientes vs. Juan Centeno; Super Bantamweight
- Angel Barrientes vs. Sharone Carter; Super Bantamweight
- Justin Viloria vs. Pedro Pinillo; Super Featherweight
- David A. Whitmire vs. Javier Vargas; Light Middleweight
- Yojanler Martinez vs. Dario Guerrero-Meneses; Super Middleweight
When is Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso?
- Date: Saturday: May 13 | Sunday, May 14
- Start time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT | 2 a.m. BST | 11 a.m. AEST
- Main event: 11:30 p.m. ET | | 8:30 p.m. PT | 4:30 a.m. BST | 1:30 p.m. AEST
Romero vs. Barroso is on March 13. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT | 2 a.m. BST | 11 a.m. AEST. The main event should begin around 11:30 p.m. ET | | 8:30 p.m. PT | 4:30 a.m. BST | 1:30 p.m. AEST, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
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How to watch Rolando Romero vs. Ismael Barroso
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States | Sat. May 13 | Showtime |
| United Kingdom | Sun. May 14 | TBA |
| Australia | Sun. May 14 | TBA |
Romero vs. Barroso will be on Showtime in the U.S.
Viewers can stream Showtime via Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox ONE, a laptop, or any mobile or tablet device.
