Barroso Sets Up Rematch With Romero After Knockout Victory

Ismael Barroso earned a well-deserved rematch with Rolando Romero on the undercard of Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Fredrick Lawson at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas by stopping Ohara Davies, 31, twice and knocking him out in the first round. Seven and a half months after Romero controversially defeated him on May 13 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via ninth-round technical knockout, Barroso, 40, emerged victorious in the WBA interim super lightweight title.

Shortly after the second knockdown, referee Celestino Ruiz stopped their 12-round, 140-pound fight at 1:53 because British fighter Davies had not responded to his directions in a way that pleased him.

“I said in an interview earlier that when I started boxing that I had a lot of power, and I’m showing that power now that God is on my side. I have that power,” said Barroso in media reports.

The tough Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) secured Davies' rematch with Romero (15-1, 13 KOs) by spoiling his debut with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

“After that first punch, I knew that I had him. I knew that it was a good punch,” said Barroso.

For the second time in his career, Davies (25-3, 18 KOs) from England was defeated via knockout. Josh Taylor (19-1, 13 KOs), a former undisputed 140-pound champion, is the only other opponent to halt Davies inside the distance. 

Following his contentious ninth-round stoppage of Barroso on May 13 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Romero was scheduled to defend his WBA title against Davies last year, inside a span of 120 days.

Romero was given an injury exemption by the WBA, however, and the Davies-Barroso match was mandated for its interim title. Romero was also mandated by the WBA to defend his first title against the winner of Davies-Barroso before March 20.

“The people have been asking for Rolly and Barroso again. Romero, I’m right here,” said Barroso.

But on Saturday, Ryan Garcia gained notice when he declared on social media that he would rather face Romero than Devin Haney next. Romero may give up his WBA title to take on Garcia in a more prominent pay-per-view match instead of going up against Barroso once more.