Rolly Romero, a world boxing champion, expresses frustration with Manny Pacquiao after negotiations for a fight fell through. Romero claims he has been "ducked" by other fighters, feeling ignored despite being a titleholder and an attractive opponent after his recent victory over Ryan Garcia. He argues that his career trajectory has been marred by missed opportunities and the collapse of potential lucrative fights, particularly the one with Pacquiao, which he believes was leveraged for clout rather than genuine intention. Romero now considers himself “retired,” attributing the inactivity to the boxing landscape rather than a personal decision.

By the Numbers
  • Romero claims to have been "ducked" for five megafights in his career.
  • Negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao lasted two months before collapsing.
State of Play
  • Romero has publicly called himself retired due to inactivity in the sport.
  • The WBA has mandated Romero to face Shakhram Giyasov instead of Pacquiao.
What's Next

Romero may focus on securing a different opponent, as the chances of a fight with Pacquiao are diminishing. He could potentially leverage his public appeal and recent successes to navigate new negotiations or alternative matchups.

Bottom Line

Rolly Romero's situation illustrates a larger issue in boxing around negotiation failures and fighter visibility. Despite being a titleholder, his experience highlights the challenges of securing big fights and the frustration associated with the sport’s current dynamics.