The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas hosts a world title card this Saturday night, and at the head of affairs Rolando Romero takes on Ismael Barroso with the vacant WBA super lightweight world title on offer to the victor.
SHOWTIME televise Romero vs Barroso live in the USA.
The pair were originally scheduled to fight for the WBA interim strap, however Alberto Puello, who was meant to face ‘Rolly’ was placed in recess on Wednesday following a failed drugs test, with Romero and Barroso now ordered to meet for the vacant belt.
The victor will have to face Britain’s Ohara Davies within 120 days.
Las Vegas native, Romero (14-1, 12 KOs) climbed the ranks with a decent points win against Jackson Marinez to take the interim WBA belt at lightweight, and he defended once, stopping Anthony Yigit, in seven rounds.
The 27-year-old suffered his first and sole career defeat last May, leading on one scorecard in a full WBA title tilt against Gervonta Davis before being halted in six rounds.
He now moves up in weight and takes on former world title challenger, Barroso (24-3-2, 22 KOs), with the Venezuelan on a four-fight winning streak.
The 40-year-old challenged for the WBA gold at lightweight in 2016, stopped in five by Anthony Crolla, which sparked three defeats in four contests.
The southpaw has rebuilt since, but at a much lower grade, his last win coming against Fernando Saucedo in August last year, a fourth round knockout.
Prediction: Romero is a decent operator, and he should be a level above the ageing Barroso. I favour him to outwork the Venezuelan, and take the stoppage in the later rounds.
Akhmedov faces Sims Jr
Two-time world title challenger, Botirzhon Akhmedov (9-2, 8 KOs) returns to action here after losing a split decision to the aforementioned Puello in his last contest, and he should return to winning ways with a points win over ten at super lightweight against Kenneth Sims Jr (19-2-1, 7 KOs), who is on a run of six straight victories.
Barthelemy meets Juarez
Also at super lightweight, former two-weight world champion, Rances Barthelemy (29-2-1, 15 KOs) can get back on the winning trail.
The Cuban was stopped in six by Gary Antuanne Russell in his last fight, but he should be able to deal with Omar Juarez (14-1, 5 KOs) on the scorecards after ten rounds.
Remaining Undercard
The final ten rounder is yet another ten stone clash, where Esteuri Motiva Suero (12-0, 9 KOs) should remain unbeaten by taking his all-Dominican clash against Starling Castillo (17-1-1, 13 KOs) inside schedule.
In eight rounders, Michael Angeletti (7-0, 6 KOs) can halt Michell Banquez (20-3, 14 KOs) at bantamweight, and at super bantamweight, Chavez Barrientes (7-0, 6 KOs) can also stay unblemished with a stoppage of Juan Centeno (8-7-3, 1 KO).
In six round action, Angel Barrientes (9-1, 6 KOs) can outscore Sharon Carter (13-6, 3 KOs) at super bantamweight, and Justin Viloria (1-0, 1 KO) should see off Pedro Pinillo (5-1, 5 KOs) inside the distance at super featherweight.
In the remaining four rounders, super welterweight prospect, David A Whitmire (1-0, 1 KO) can outpoint Javier Vargas (3-1, 3 KOs), and debutant Yojanler Martinez should do the same against Dario Guerrero Meneses (3-5-1, 1 KO) at super middleweight.
