A confident Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero 13-0 (11) is looking to get the job done early against late replacement Anthony Yigit 24-1-1 (8) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday night,
The undefeated 25-year-old lightweight will defend his WBA interim title over 12 rounds in the main support bout to the undisputed junior middleweight title fight between Jermell Charlo 34-1 (18) and Brian Castano 17-0-1 (12).
“I’m going to stop him in the first round on Saturday. I’m confident in what I say and what I’ll do in the ring,” said Romero, who was originally scheduled to face southpaw Austin Dulay 14-2 (10) who withdrew after suffering an injury in training.
“I love fighting lefties. I prepared to face a southpaw first in Austin Dulay anyway. This camp has been amazing. I can’t even talk about all the times I’ve stopped people in camp.
“Like every single time I fight, make sure you show up on time. If you show up late, you’re going to miss a knockout.
“I’m just a different fighter from these other lightweights. You can’t prepare for me because I’m awkward. No one has ever seen my style before, plus I have power.
“I’m just happy Yigit stepped up and took this fight. I’m used to people not taking fights with me. I can’t knock him on that.
“I said I like fighting southpaws because they’re easier to hit, simple as that. Look at what I do to southpaws. I didn’t have to change my preparation at all with the change in opponent. A southpaw is a southpaw, it’s not like he’s Manny Pacquiao.”
Swedish southpaw Yigit, 29, will be moving down in weight to fight at 135-pounds for the first time in his eight-year pro career. It will be his first bout in two years.
“I’m not worried about my layoff from the ring. I’m always training and making sure that I’m in shape and ready for fights like these,” said Yigit, who lost in seven rounds to Ivan Baranchyk 20-2 (13) in a bid for the vacant IBF junior welterweight title when his left eye was swollen shut in October 2018.
“I fought for the world title once, so I know that people are going to try to bring me in last minute with my experience and try to catch me off-guard. I was already prepared for war, so everything worked out as planned.
“If anything, 135 pounds is my real weight class. In Europe I’ve done quite well at 140, so I didn’t feel like I needed to come down. When I fought for the title I realized 140 may be too big for me.
“I’m highly ranked at 140-pounds, so that’s just where I’ve been getting the best opportunities. Now I’m here, making my move to the States and there’s no better time for me to announce my presence.
“Fans can expect a great fight Saturday. I’m going to get the win by any means. That’s why I’m here. I understand his confidence. We’re both here to win. This is the perfect co-main event to get people warmed up for the main event.”
