Rolly Romero Criticizes Undefeated Boxers: 'Dana Would Cut You in the UFC'
Fresh off a major upset win over Ryan Garcia in a Times Square spectacle that captivated the fight world, Rolly Romero is riding high. The event marked a major moment for Romero personally, though for boxing as a whole, it didn't quite live up to the billing. Despite the headlines, many felt the hype outweighed the in-ring product. For Romero, a fighter who's experienced both the highs and lows of boxing, the moment was still a testament to perseverance—and now he's using that platform to share his perspective.
Romero recently joined the Pound4Pound podcast, hosted by Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, where he offered a candid critique of the sport that shaped his career. 'Dana don't let you guys protect your 'O.' In boxing, these guys are all protecting their 'O,' so you can't get good fights. It's honestly a disgrace to boxing, and it's ruining the sport.' He continued, 'If you don't sell tickets, you don't get paid. If you ain't entertaining, you don't get paid. You're not, 'Oh, because I'm undefeated, I get paid.' Like, no.' Many fans echoed this sentiment, especially in light of the performances from Devin Haney and William Scull this past weekend.
Romero even went as far as saying, 'If this was the UFC, Dana would cut you,' emphasizing how fighters in that organization are held accountable for lackluster performances.
Rolly RomeroGetty Images
Known as a rugged boxer-puncher, Romero has embraced a straightforward, pressure-heavy style. With two losses on his record, he's taken on a range of competition and typically looks to keep fights exciting. He's publicly expressed respect for the UFC's model, where matchups are made based on merit and entertainment—not just record padding. For Romero, fighting should be about risk, reward, and delivering for the fans—win or lose.
Related: Ilia Topuria Sends Cold Shot at Islam Makhachev: 'He'll Want to Go Back to Russia'
Related: Bo Nickal Sends Blistering Message: 'Spit in Your Face' While Plotting UFC Comeback
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
35 minutes ago
- Fox News
Twin sister of Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell dead at 18, police say
Kierston Russell, the twin sister of University of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, has died just days after the siblings graduated from high school, police confirmed in a statement on Thursday. She was 18. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Kierston's passing in a statement, adding that the investigation into her death is "ongoing." "There has been considerable media attention concerning a death investigation that occurred (in Tuscaloosa) on June 4, 2025," Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit said in a statement obtained by Tuscaloosa News. "After speaking with the family, and in an attempt to quell media inquiries, they have given permission to confirm the death of Kierston Russell... The investigation is ongoing pursuant to the procedures mentioned above, and at this time appears to be non-criminal in nature. Therefore, at this time no other information will be released." Kierston played basketball at Duncanville High School in Texas. According to ESPN, she was due to join her brother at Alabama in August. The twins graduated last month. Keelon, a five-star recruit who enrolled early and attended Alabama's spring training, shared photos of the two together and shared a prayer to his Instagram Stories on Thursday. "Dear god, Thank You that every good and pleasant gift is from above. You are the source of every blessing in my life-my health, my work, my relationships, and the strength to face each day. Even my ability to work and create comes from You. I acknowledge that all I have is a gift from Your generous hand," he post read. "As James 1:17 says, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.' You are faithful, and I am grateful." Kierston's basketball team also shared a statement on X following the news of her death. "With shattered hearts, we mourn the loss of our sister & teammate, Kierston Russell. A fierce competitor with a heart of gold – her light, love & legacy will live on. We love you, KRuss. Always." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Washington Post
42 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Giants using a swashbuckling approach to turnovers: ‘Be a damn pirate'
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants might have to walk the plank if they don't get better at taking possessions away from opponents. Sitting on the sideline during practice this offseason is a wooden chest – a 'turnover chest,' if you will – that contains no gold, silver or jewels. But to the Giants, what does go in there is even more valuable.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Why The Pittsburgh Steelers Will Regret Signing Aaron Rodgers
'This is a good day for the Packers.' Never forget those words that came from Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst the day he traded quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Mind you, Rodgers was just 14 months removed from winning his fourth MVP award when Gutekunst made that statement. The Packers weren't sure if Jordan Love was the answer at quarterback. Yet minutes after trading Rodgers for what in essence became a 2023 second round draft pick (Luke Musgrave), Gutekunst wasn't sweating bullets. He was calling it a 'good day' for his organization. The Pittsburgh Steelers — who announced their signing of Rodgers on Thursday night — should have remembered Gutekunst's words before becoming the latest team to fall victim to the powerful drug called nostalgia. That's because the Rodgers that played for Green Bay in 2022, and the Rodgers that spent the last two years with the New York Jets, is nothing like the Rodgers that led the Packers to a Super Bowl win over Pittsburgh way, way, way back in 2010. Make no mistake, there was a time when Rodgers ranked among the best signal callers in football. He won MVP's in 2011, 2014, and both 2021 and 2022. His performance against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV was also one of the best in NFL history. And because Rodgers could sling the ball better than almost anyone who's ever played, the Packers put up with more drama than Jason Bateman encountered in 'Ozark.' The passive-aggressive Rodgers took several shots at former head coach Mike McCarthy throughout the years. And while McCarthy lost his fastball during his final days in Green Bay, he also lost the support of Rodgers. McCarthy was fired on Dec. 2, 2018 — the day Rodgers turned 35. Many believed this was the birthday gift Rodgers wanted most, and he was labeled a 'Coach Killer.' Things seemed peachy when Rodgers won his third MVP in 2020 and led the Packers to the NFC Championship Game. Just five hours before the 2021 NFL Draft, though, word leaked that Rodgers didn't want to ever play for Green Bay again. Over the next three months, Pro Football Talk reported, '(Rodgers) doesn't like anyone in the front office for a variety of reasons.' The Athletic reported that Rodgers referred to general manager Brian Gutekunst as 'Jerry Krause' — the man who built and tore down the Chicago Bulls dynasty in the 1990s — in group chats with teammates. And NFL Media reported that Rodgers was telling Green Bay's prospective free agents 'before you make any decisions, I'm probably not gonna be there.' Rodgers eventually reported to training camp, but only after the Packers agreed to give him a say in personnel decisions, which included trading for over-the-hill wideout Randall Cobb that summer. By 2022, the bloom was off the rose, Rodgers had arguably the worst season of his 18-year career and the Packers went just 8-9. Rodgers skipped the offseason program that year, a time he could have developed some chemistry with a revamped wide receiver group. He was critical of Matt LaFleur throughout the season, at one point saying his head coach needed to 'simplify the offense.' And he took shots at his teammates, telling his pal Pat McAfee: 'Guys who are making too many mistakes shouldn't be playing, you know. Gotta start cutting some reps, and maybe guys who aren't playing, give them a chance.' During his final days in Green Bay, Rodgers went on a darkness retreat, took an ayahuasca journey and lied about being vaccinated. In addition, the majority of Rodgers' playoff performances since Super Bowl 45 were dreadful, and the Packers believed they'd never win another Lombardi Trophy with him under center, which made trading him an easy call. 'We were 8-9 last year,' Gutekunst said the day he traded Rodgers. 'As we move forward, it was more about what we were going to do to get better and have a chance to win this thing. As you're going through some of those things you're talking about and you're 13-3 or 13-4 and No. 1 seed, that whole locker room, coaching staff, scouting staff, this whole organization, we're trying to win a Super Bowl, right? You'll put up with a lot to try to chase that.' The Jets were willing to put up with a lot, too — and paid a steep price. They brought in wideouts Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Cobb — all former Packers who Rodgers wanted to play with. They hired — and eventually fired — overmatched offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was another Rodgers pal. Head coach Robert Saleh was fired after just five games last season. And the organization is back in rebuild mode today after going 12-22 the last two years. And for what? Rodgers played just four snaps in 2023 before tearing his left Achilles tendon. Last season, Rodgers ranked 25th in the NFL in QBR and had his lowest passer rating (90.5) since becoming a starter in 2008 despite having standouts Garrett Wilson and Adams to throw to. Rodgers, who will turn 42 later this season, has lost the mobility that once helped him extend plays and make big throws. And amazingly, the Jets were better with Zach Wilson in 2023 (7-10) than they were with Rodgers in 2024 (5-12). So on March 12, the Jets cut their losses and released Rodgers. Pittsburgh, one of the NFL's most stable and successful franchises, seemed like one of the last organizations that would have climbed into bed with Rodgers. The Rooney family, which owns the team, is no-nonsense. Head coach Mike Tomlin is as old school as it gets. And the passionate fans of Pittsburgh has little time for drama. Pittsburgh Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw summed up the feelings of many by saying: 'Are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there.' Desperate times — and teams — call for desperate measures, though. And the Steelers — who lost Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in free agency — are taking the Rodgers plunge, despite the fact he hasn't played high-level football since 2021. It's an odd marriage. And the chances of it lasting more than a year seem slim. Instead, the better bet is Pittsburgh's front office will be saying 'This is a good day for the Steelers' when they become the latest team to dump Rodgers.
