Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, has brushed off criticism from fans regarding Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero’s controversial victory over Ismael Barroso in May. Ellerbe remains confident that Romero will emerge victorious in his upcoming fight against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz on March 30th, which will be available on Amazon Prime PPV.
Ellerbe also revealed that negotiations with Ryan Garcia fell through due to an unsatisfactory offer made to Romero. However, he still believes that a future fight between Romero, the WBA light welterweight champion, and Garcia is possible after Romero defends his title against Cruz.
Many boxing enthusiasts predict that Romero may face defeat next month against the formidable lightweight fighter, ‘Pitbull’ Cruz. Unlike his previous opponents, Cruz presents a significant challenge for Romero, as he is a skilled and younger adversary.
Critics of Romero highlight that he won’t have the luxury of a referee intervention this time, as was the case in his last fight when the bout was stopped in the ninth round. Romero’s flurry of punches missed their mark, resulting in the stoppage.
Responding to concerns about Romero’s previous performance against Barroso, Ellerbe emphasized that styles make fights. He believes that Cruz is the perfect match for Romero and that his fighting style will prove advantageous in this upcoming bout.
However, for Romero to have a chance at defeating Cruz, he must make significant improvements in his boxing skills and defensive capabilities. The odds favor Cruz, indicating a lack of belief in Romero’s abilities from both bookmakers and fans. Many perceive Romero as an undeserving champion and view him as the weakest link in the 140-pound division.
Regarding the failed negotiations with Ryan Garcia, Ellerbe described the offer as subpar. He acknowledged that Oscar De La Hoya, the head of Golden Boy Promotions, may have a different perspective, but ultimately, the decision was made in Romero’s best interest. Ellerbe expressed admiration for Garcia’s talents and left open the possibility of a future fight between the two, but for now, Romero’s focus remains solely on his upcoming clash with Pitbull Cruz.