Rolly Romero Vs. Ismael Barroso: Odds, Records, Prediction

The best thing Rolly Romero has ever done in his career came in his sixth-round knockout loss to Gervonta “Tank” Davis 12 months ago. The buildup to that fight saw Romero employ his skills as a trash-talker (and the potential to be one of the top heels in boxing), and during the fight, he had some good moments before ultimately succumbing to the fighter who’s now No. 6 on my pound-for-pound list. Now, Romero is getting back into the ring in a Showtime main event that could land him a junior welterweight title. Here’s everything you need to know about Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso, including the odds, their records and a prediction on who will win.

Romero originally was supposed to face 140-pound world titlist Alberto Puello on Saturday, but after Puello failed a drug test, Barroso replaced Puello and made Romero the A-side of this event. And now the two are fighting for that vacant belt.

“I think Barroso is actually a better fighter than Alberto Puello, because he can actually crack,” Romero said. “Any time you’re in a fight with a puncher, you know it’s going be difficult.

“I’m not underestimating him. I know he can hit, and he’s a little tricky. He throws a good straight left that comes out of nowhere that he’s been getting guys with. So, I’m definitely not underestimating him.”

Romero certainly shouldn’t underestimate Barroso. Romero is a sizeable betting favorite, and a loss at this stage in his career would be devastating. He might be a great trash talker, but if he loses every time he fights on a big stage, his career as a top-level boxer would end up being rather short.

If he wins, though, he could get a major junior welterweight bout, especially if he has a world title, against the likes of world-class fighters like Regis Prograis or Teofimo Lopez.

“I’m going to make 140 pounds the most popping division in boxing, “Romero said. “I see many PPV events, and I’m involved in all of them.”

First, though, he’ll have to get past his late-replacement opponent.

“The lesson I’m here to show is that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall down, you have to keep getting up and battling every single moment,” the 40-year-old Barroso said. “Because dreams can come true. Keep striving for whatever you want, no matter how old you are.”

Here’s more info on the Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso showdown that U.S. viewers can watch on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso odds

Romero is the -1000 betting favorite (bet $1,000 to win $100), while Barroso is the +550 underdog (win $550 on a $100 wager). If you like Barroso, there’s some value in his money line (though I’d love it if he was closer to 7/1). But if you like Romero, you’d be better suited to take him to by decision (+400) rather than by stoppage (where he’s -334).

If you were looking for a fun parlay for this weekend’s action of boxing (and this is only for entertainment purposes), I might take Romero-Barroso to go over 6.5 rounds at -125, the Rances Barthelemy vs. Omar Juarez fight to go the distance at -350 and Jason Maloney to beat Vincent Astrolabio at -163. If all of those hit, you’d earn $273 on a $100 wager.

Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso records

Before fighting Davis, Romero’s resume was decent for a fighter with only 14 matches, scoring victories against Anthony Yigit and the then-undefeated Jackson Martinez. The question for Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) is how much he learned vs. Davis and if he’s in the right mental space to beat a solid, though rather unknown opponent.

You might not know much about Barroso, and he doesn’t have a ton of recognizable wins on his resume (his best victories have come against Yves Ulysse Jr. and Kevin Mitchell). He’s lost to Anthony Crolla and Botirzhon Akhmedov. But at 24-3-2 with 22 KOs, Barroso has good punching power. If Romero’s chin still needs to be tested after his KO loss to Davis, Barroso could provide that.

Rolly Romero vs. Ismael Barroso prediction

As long as Romero doesn’t get caught by a clean punch on the chin, he should get around Romero, who’s elderly by boxing standards and who doesn’t have any elite victories on his resume. Romero will show that he’s a solid boxer, and even if he has to survive some rough spots, he’ll win a decision, somewhere in the 117-111 range.