| |
|
|
WBA 140-Pound World Champion Alberto Puello Battles
Rolando Romero May 13 In Las Vegas
Undefeated WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto “La
Avispa” Puello will make the first defense of his world
title when he takes on hard-hitting contender Rolando
“Rolly” Romero on Saturday, May 13 live on SHOWTIME from The
Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas headlining a
Premier Boxing Champions event.
The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast begins at 9 p.m.
ET/6 p.m. PT and features two additional super lightweight
bouts with former two-division world champion Rances
Barthelemy dueling the all-action Omar “El Relámpago” Juarez
in the 10-round super lightweight co-main event, plus top
super lightweight contenders Batyr Akhmedov and SHOBOX® alum
Kenneth Sims, Jr., meet in a 12-round WBA Super Lightweight
World Title Eliminator opening up the telecast.
“Saturday, May 13 in Las Vegas lines up to be a fantastic
three-fight card with intriguing matchups in the stacked
super lightweight division, topped by WBA 140-pound world
champion Alberto Puello defending his belt against the
always-exciting ‘Rolly’ Romero,” said Tom Brown, President
of TGB Promotions. “The former two-division champ Rances
Barthelemy and young action fighter Omar Juarez will meet in
an intriguing crossroads co-main event clash, while two of
the 140-pound division’s toughest contenders, Batyr Akhmedov
and Kenneth Sims, Jr., look to put themselves in position to
fight for a world title opening the telecast.”
“This is a big opportunity for ‘Rolly’ and there’s no doubt
that he’s going to make the most of it,” said Leonard
Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “He’s focused on
preparing to get back in the ring and I know that he’s
looking forward to putting on a great show for the fans on
May 13.”
A native of San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic,
Puello (21-0, 10 KOs) now fights out of Las Vegas under the
tutelage of renowned trainer Bob Santos, who also trains
Puello’s childhood friend, former WBA 130-Pound World
Champion Hector Luis Garcia. The 28-year-old captured his
world championship in his most recent fight, earning a
hard-fought decision victory over Akhmedov last August on
SHOWTIME. Puello leapt up the rankings in July 2019, handing
Jonathan Alonso his first career defeat with a unanimous
decision victory that earned him an interim title. He was
also successful in his U.S. debut in December 2021, as he
scored a unanimous decision victory over Veshawn Owens in
Owens’ hometown.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity I have to defend my
world title on SHOWTIME,” said Puello. “’Rolly’ has fought
at the elite level, so I’m looking forward to testing myself
and showing why I am the champion. I’m confident in my
skills and I’m coming with everything I’ve got. This is
going to be one of the best fights of the year, so make sure
you tune in.”
Part of the Mayweather Promotions stable, Romero (14-1, 12
KOs) is known for his brash talk that he backs up with power
in both hands as well as an exciting, unique style that
makes him must-see whenever he steps between the ropes.
Romero returns to the ring for the first time since a May
2022 defeat against three-division champion Gervonta Davis.
Prior to the Davis fight, Romero won an interim title in
August 2020 by earning a close but unanimous decision over
then unbeaten Jackson Marinez. The 27-year-old followed that
victory up with a pair of impressive knockout triumphs,
dominating slick contender Avery Sparrow with a
seventh-round stoppage in January 2021 before dropping
former title challenger Anthony Yigit three times on his way
to another seventh-round stoppage in July 2021.
“I’m excited to become a world champion on May 13,” said
Romero. “Everyone knows what I bring to the ring. It’s gonna
be an entertaining show. I hope Puello comes in 100%,
because I ready to show that I’m an elite fighter in this
division.”
A native of Havana, Cuba now fighting out of Las Vegas,
Barthelemy (29-2-1, 15 KOs) returns after a defeat to Gary
Antuanne Russell last July in which many believed the
referee waived off the fight prematurely. A world champion
at 130 and 135 pounds, Barthelemy owns notable victories
over Argenis Mendez, Antonio DeMarco, Mickey Bey and Denis
Shafikov. His only other professional loss came in a 2018
140-pound championship rematch against Kiryl Relikh.
Barthelemy comes from a fighting family, as he is the middle
brother between the younger Leduan and the older Yan, who
won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a good show against a
young, hungry fighter like Omar Juarez,” said Barthelemy. “I
want to thank everyone who put me in this position and made
this fight happen. At this stage in my career, it’s about
building my legacy, and that means getting a knockout on May
13. My hands will be flying when that bell rings.”
The 23-year-old Juarez (14-1, 5 KOs) enters the ring
propelled by momentum gained from his efforts inside and
outside the ring. He enters the fight on a three-bout
winning streak following a June 2021 defeat to All Rivera,
including 2022 victories over Ryan Karl in February and
Austin Dulay in December. A native of Brownsville, Texas,
Juarez has achieved recognition in his community by
uplifting the state’s youth through motivational speaking,
receiving commendations from the Texas State Senate and the
Texas House of Representatives for his altruism.
“This is the biggest fight of my life and I’m grateful to my
team for making it happen,” said Juarez. “Rances brings a
tremendous amount of experience to the ring, so I know that
I have to make the proper adjustments as this fight goes on.
I know if I win this fight, big doors will continue to open
for me. So believe me when I say that I’m coming to win and
win impressively.”
Born in Uzbekistan and now fighting out of Los Angeles,
Calif., Akhmedov (9-2, 8 KOs) represented Turkey at the 2016
Olympic Games. The 32-year-old turned pro in 2017 and won
his first seven pro fights, with six coming by knockout.
Most recently, Akhmedov lost a narrow split-decision to
Puello in a vacant 140-pound title fight last August on
SHOWTIME, with his only other blemish coming in a 2019
action-fight against Mario Barrios.
“I’m looking forward to my return to the ring this May,”
said Akhmedov. “My goal has always been to win a world
championship and I have faith in myself. The fans know that
I’m always in exciting fights, and this matchup is going to
be more of the same.”
The 29-year-old Sims (19-2-1, 7 KOs) is one of the hottest
fighters in the 140-pound division and can move one step
closer to a world title with a victory on May 13.
Representing his native Chicago, Ill., Sims has won
six-straight outings dating back to May 2018 including
triumphs over then-unbeaten fighters Elvis Rodriguez and
Keeshawn Williams in 2021. Most recently, Sims dispatched
Rock Myrthil in the fifth-round of their December 2022
showdown.
“I’m really excited about this fight,” said Sims. “This is
what I’ve been asking for and will bring the best out in me.
I believe that Akhmedov won his last fight and should be
champion right now. This is not gonna be an easy task, but I
will prove that I belong with the big names in the 140-pound
division.”
|
|
|
