Lightweight pugilist Rolly Romero is making waves in boxing circles not just with his fists, but with his words as well. Known for stirring controversy, the Las Vegas-based boxer has taken a jab at Oscar De La Hoya, boxing legend turned promoter.
Rolly Romero leaked a series of direct messages alleged to be from De La Hoya on social media. Whether authentic or fabricated, these messages have fanned the flames of an already budding rivalry between the two figures. Romero allegedly showcased that De La Hoya, the former world champion, was trying to secure his promotional rights. Speculation surrounds the motive, but many wonder if De La Hoya is attempting to add untamed talent to his Golden Boy Promotions lineup or if this is just a ruse to disrupt the boxer’s momentum.
True to his character, Romero did not hesitate to bite back at the boxing icon. He also insulted De La Hoya’s fashion choices, starting a social media frenzy by dropping a comment about him wearing fishnets, a reference to an old photograph that resulted in De La Hoya’s nickname, “Fishnets.”
While the leaked DMs and the subsequent comments may seem trivial to some, to dedicated boxing fans it is indicative of an ongoing tension within the sport. Boxing is as much about the psychological game as it is the physical one, and these media spins and word exchanges can set the tone for future face-offs, both inside and outside of the ring.
In response to Romero’s tirade, De La Hoya remained silent. But the friction didn’t stop here, as Romero turned his attention onto another heated topic, the sports streaming platform, DAZN. Romero, who is not signed to any streaming service, made it abundantly clear that he believes DAZN’s business model is ineffective.
“I’m not a fan of DAZN… I just think they have a football approach to boxing,” Romero expressed in one of his tests against the company. His critique is primarily rooted on DAZN’s subscription model, which he believes is non-ideal for the boxing landscape. A subscription model, according to Romero, doesn’t allow the average fan to enjoy boxing; it tends to alienate the fanbase instead, asserting that pay-per-view models work better for this sport.
No stranger to controversy, Romero has been known for his outspokenness. However, his comments attracted attention from different strata of the boxing world, including fans, fellow fighters, and even promoters.
His claims about DAZN, coupled with his leak of De La Hoya’s DMs, have sparked a fresh debate within the boxing community. While it remains to be seen whether his critique will spur any changes within the sport or the way it’s broadcast, it undeniably adds fuel to the fire in a sport that thrives on controversy.
In a world where words often hit as hard as punches, Romero’s stance and outspokenness are not nonsensical rants, but potential power moves in the boxing industry. The game is equally fought on social media as in the ring, where one word can be the difference between winning or losing, between securing a critical match or being left in the shadows.
Rolly Romero’s brash demeanor may put him in the spotlight for now. Still, only time will tell if his rebellious nature trait will jeopardize or galvanize his boxing career in the long run.
