Rolly Romero “Retires”

WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) has announced a so-called retirement, following over a year of inactivity due to not being able to secure big fights and big paydays.

Romero accused Devin Haney, Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao of avoiding him saying, “I’m retired. I haven’t fought in a year, so I’m retired. I got ducked by nearly everybody. It’s crazy.”

The Benn fight appears to be the one that frustrates Rolly the most. Romero claims a deal for May 30 in New York was fully agreed before it collapsed: “We had the whole deal made for May 30th in New York. He got scared and ran off because he knows he’d get knocked out cold. I like Conor, but I hate it when people act like they’re about something and then they don’t do it.”

On the prospect of a rematch with Garcia, Romero was equally dismissive: “Whenever Ryan says something, you can never believe it. That dude lies more than anybody.”

Romero won the WBA Regular welterweight title by unanimous decision over Garcia in May 2025 before being upgraded to full champion following Jaron Ennis’ departure from the division. Romero had a mandatory challenger in Shakhram Giyasov, butThe WBA has approved Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall for the WBA welterweight title, meaning Rolly will be the “super” champion and must face the winner within 180 days.