Rolly Romero vs. Shakhram Giyasov - WBA Mandatory

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Rolly Romero says he is unfamiliar with mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov

Rolando “Rolly” Romero has claimed that he has no idea who his mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov actually is.

Romero claimed the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title back in May with a victory over Ryan Garcia at Times Square, New York. It was an upset win for Romero, and things got even better for the Las Vegas resident after Jaron “Boots” Ennis decided to move up to 154lbs and vacated the ‘super’ version of the belt. Romero has since been promoted to full champion by the WBA and ordered to face mandatory challenger Giyasov, who had been patiently waiting for his shot at the title.

The Uzbek is by no means one of the big names in the division, and Giyasov’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed to Boxing Scene last month that Romero had applied for an exemption to explore a more lucrative fight with Manny Pacquiao instead. So, Romero was asked for an update on his ordered bout with Giyasov.

“I don't even know who that is,” Romero told Boxing Scene. “I've never seen the dude fight. So if I don't know you, I do not owe you.”

Romero was then reminded that Giyasov was in fact the mandatory challenger for his WBA welterweight title.

“I just don't know who that is,” he said in response.

So is Romero instead focusing on a bout with Pacquiao?

“Oh man, I ain't even going to lie, I've just been focused on my own personal life mission right now,” said Romero.

Romero then revealed that he has been having a break from boxing and would be making a decision on the fight “when [he] feels like it”.

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So, Romero was asked for an update on his ordered bout with Giyasov.

“I don't even know who that is,” Romero told Boxing Scene. “I've never seen the dude fight. So if I don't know you, I do not owe you.”

Romero was then reminded that Giyasov was in fact the mandatory challenger for his WBA welterweight title.

“I just don't know who that is,” he said in response.

What a stupid thing to say...

i hope Eddie pushes for it and Giyasev knocks him out..

[joshj909]

So, Romero was asked for an update on his ordered bout with Giyasov.

“I don't even know who that is,” Romero told Boxing Scene. “I've never seen the dude fight. So if I don't know you, I do not owe you.”

Romero was then reminded that Giyasov was in fact the mandatory challenger for his WBA welterweight title.

“I just don't know who that is,” he said in response.

What a stupid thing to say...

i hope Eddie pushes for it and Giyasev knocks him out..

I hate this idea that the beltholder is all of a sudden in charge of who deserves what. Barely any fan thinks it, only boxers do. It screams ducking when they say they don't owe title shots to people.

[Sendo Takeshi]

To be fair, a lot of mandatorys seem very random (even though Giyasov seems legit).

I'd also try for the Pacquiao fight, before losing my belt to someone I don't know.

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I hate this idea that the beltholder is all of a sudden in charge of who deserves what. Barely any fan thinks it, only boxers do. It screams ducking when they say they don't owe title shots to people.

Yh it's like how did Rolly end up with a belt? he climbed the ranks.. Just like Giyasev has done now.

[Sendo Takeshi]

Yh it's like how did Rolly end up with a belt? he climbed the ranks.. Just like Giyasev has done now.

My boy Rolly didn't climb up no rankings!

For his first fight at welterweight, they basically gifted him that regular BS belt and promoted him to full champ after Boots switched weight classes.

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[Sendo Takeshi]

Sad. There goes his easy payday.

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Shakhram Giyasov team demands purse bid for overdue Rolando Romero title fight

Enough is enough.

That is the mentality carried by Shakhram Giyasov and his team, who’ve collectively grown tired of waiting for the boxer’s overdue title shot.

As previously reported by BS, Uzbekistan’s Giyasov, 17-0 (10 KOs) is the mandatory challenger in waiting for WBA 147lbs titlist Rolando Romero. Their fight was ordered months ago, only for the sanctioning body to slow the process to a crawl and even allow TGB Promotions to submit an exemption request for a voluntary fight that never materialized.

“We are expecting [a] purse bid, as this has dragged on long enough,” Vadim Kornilov, Giyasov’s career-long manager, told Boxing Scene.

Las Vegas’ Romero, 17-2 (13 KOs) claimed a secondary version of the WBA welterweight title with an upset, unanimous decision over Ryan Garcia on May 2 in New York City. He was upgraded to full titleholder upon the divisional departure of unified WBA/IBF titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who is now campaigning at 154lbs.

Giyasov was elevated to the top spot in the WBA 147lbs rankings in October 2023, once it was clear that Vergil Ortiz Jnr was done with the division. The move came four months after Giyasov’s 12-round, unanimous decision win over unbeaten Harold Calderon in their June 2023 title eliminator.

He stepped aside to allow Ennis to first unify with then-unbeaten WBA titltist Eimantas Stanionis. Ennis won their April 12 clash via one-sided, 6th round stoppage to unify two titles and inherit Giyasov as a mandatory. Giyasov was granted an undercard slot and maximized the opportunity with a 4th round knockout of Franco Ocampo.

“My last fight, I went into the ring determined to send a message,” Giyasov stated. “The winner of the main event was supposed to fight me. I wanted to give that person something to think about, and I feel like I gave one of my best performances that night.

“But it wasn’t my best – I am saving that for my title fight.”

Shortly thereafter, Romero and Garcia were permitted to fight for a WBA “Regular” welterweight title despite neither having ever officially fought at the weight.

Romero has not fought since that night, instead going through at least two separate rounds of ultimately failed talks with former eight-division titlist Manny Pacquiao, 62-8-3 (39 KOs).

The fight was previously teased for two separate PBC dates. However, BS has learned that - in addition to talks never advancing – the demand for the fight is dramatically inferior to the cost of getting both in the ring, never mind piecing together an enticing undercard.

Theoretically, that should put Romero back in a position where he can no longer hold the title hostage. That would require WBA officials to get off their asses and actually do their job.

Meanwhile, Giyasov and his team have no plans of backing down.

“Romero has to follow the rules and fight his mandatory,” demanded Kornilov. “It can be a big fight, there are many fans that know Giyasov very well, but are yet to see Romero fight.”

[gilgamesh]

I don't know who Giyasov is either, but usually dudes with names like Shakhram Giyasov don't make it to World Title contention without having an extensive Amateur background, and usually a pretty deep skill level.

Rolly Romero is a very mediocre Champion. It wouldn't take an especially great Challenger to beat him.

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Rolly Romero now Super Champion, Shakhram Giyasov-Jack Catterall for vacant title

Despite not having fought for a year, and having no fight date in the diary, the WBA has upgraded Rolly Romero to ‘Super World Champion’ status.

The move allows Jack Catterall’s fight with Shakhram Giyasov on Saturday in Egypt, originally for the ‘regular’ title, to be upgraded to a bout for the full championship.

The WBA’s website explained the announcement saying: “The decision was made by the WBA Championships Committee following a formal request from Romero’s team and after reviewing his accomplished run as a three-division champion.”

The WBA continued, explaining: “The sanctioning body also established that Romero must face the winner of the Giyasov vs. Catterall showdown within a maximum period of 180 days after the fight takes place.
“The resolution issued by the WBA is supported by the organization’s rules and regulations, which grant the Championships Committee and the WBA President the authority to designate Super Champions under exceptional circumstances and in the best interest of the sport.”

Romero is 17-2 (13 KOs), and has won his last two fights since a one-sided stoppage loss to Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, defeating Manuel James and Ryan Garcia at junior welterweight atnd 147lbs respectively.

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Rolly Romero reacts to WBA elevating (or) stripping him

The WBA addressed the inactivity of its welterweight champion Rolly Romero Thursday, ensuring a full sanctioning fee by designating Saturday’s Shakhram Giyasov-Jack Catterall fight in Egypt as the official title fight.

Romero, more than a year removed from his title victory over Ryan Garcia at New York’s Times Square, has been elevated – or stripped, depending how you want to look at it – to 'super' champion at 147lbs.

“It’s about [collecting increased] sanctioning fees,” one connected official told BS of the WBA move since mandatory opponent Giyasov, 17-0 (10 KOs), was going to fight England’s Catterall, 32-2 (14 KOs), for the WBA’s secondary belt.

In its edict, the WBA ruled two-division champion Romero must fight Saturday’s winner within 180 days.

There’s persistent skepticism that Las Vegas’ Romero 17-2 (13KOs) will not fight either since he has pushed over the last year for more high-profile bouts – to stage a rematch with Garcia, to fight WBC No. 1 ranked contender Conor Benn or to meet three-division WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.

Haney was non-committal on his future in a Thursday interview on DAZN, but he has been in talks with the new Zuffa Boxing promotion, according to an official familiar with the matter.

The proposal to elevate Romero came from his promoter, Premier Boxing Champions, according to an official connected to the matter.

While Giyasov has been neglected by Romero and without a fight since April 2025, the Uzbekistan fighter finally moved on to Catterall for the secondary belt.

Catterall owns a victory over former undisputed 140lbs champion Josh Taylor and has also defeated former world champions Regis Prograis and Jorge Linares.

When told of the events, Romero texted BS, “That sounds cool. I know Catterall. I don’t know the other guy [Giyasov].”

Asked if he would be willing to fight the winner, Romero said, “I don’t know [Giyasov], [but] Catterall, definitely, though.”

Asked if he’ll watch Saturday’s fight, Romero said, “I’m not really a Catterall fan. He’s a cool dude, though. The other guy, I’ve never seen fight. So, nah.”

Lastly, Romero was asked if he’d rather meet someone with more global recognition, who is the front-runner to be his next opponent?

“While other fighters are in the fire, one smells smoke and runs to his father,” Romero said in reference to Haney and his dad-trainer-manager, Bill Haney.

“Rolly speaks in parables.”

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Shakhram Giyasov Contends Rolly Romero Is ‘Scared’

Shakhram Giyasov didn’t mince words when it came to Rolando “Rolly” Romero.

Giyasov has long been the No. 1 contender for Romero’s WBA welterweight title, though a bout between the two hasn’t come to fruition. As a result, Giyasov will instead face Jack Catterall for a vacant WBA welterweight title on Saturday as part of the “Glory in Giza” card in Egypt, which is headlined by Oleksandr Usyk versus Rico Verhoeven on DAZN Pay-Per-View ($59.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK) and as part of the DAZN Ultimate plan ($49.99 in the U.S.; £24.99 in the UK).

“He’s scared of me,” Giyasov said at the final press conference Thursday. “He’s run [from me.]”

Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) was elevated to WBA super champion on Thursday. The WBA has sanctioned Giyasov versus Catterall for the vacant regular title and ordered Romero, 30, to face the winner within 180 days of Saturday.

Romero won the regular title last a year ago on The Ring’s card in Times Square, where he upset Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision. The North Las Vegas, Nevada native was elevated to full titlist later in the year after Jaron “Boots” Ennis vacated his championship and moved up to junior middleweight.

“I have more motivation,“ Giyasov said. “I’ve waited a long time. I’ve waited eight years for this day, this fight [and] this belt. I’m ready.”

Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) will fight for the first time since April 2025, when he beat Franco Ocampo by fourth-round knockout with a body shot in Atlantic City, New Jersey. That knockout victory was Giyasov’s first since 2021.

The 32-year-old contender from Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is The Ring’s No. 7-ranked welterweight. England’s Catterall (32-2, 14 KOs) is The Ring’s No. 10 welterweight contender. He is also ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 6 by the WBA.

Catterall, 32, has won two straight fights since moving up to welterweight. He is coming off an 11th-round stoppage of Ekow Essuman on November 15 in London.

“He’s a good fighter,” Giyasov said of Catterall. “He’s a good boxer. He’s a good man. I respect him, but I’m also ready for a long time wanting this fight all my life. I’m 100 percent ready.”