Romero Elevated to Full WBA Welterweight Champion After Ennis Vacates

The WBA has now officially elevated Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero from ‘regular’ to full welterweight champion following Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis’s vacating his 147-lb title to move up to 154.

Ennis Vacates, Rolly Rises

It’s not a surprise that Rolly (17-2, 13 KOs). The move was expected to take place as soon as Ennis revealed that he was moving up to junior middleweight. The hardcore fans will care more about the news of Romero being elevated to full WBA champion than the casuals. It’s not a big deal. Ennis was forced to move up because he was struggling to make weight.

There’s no real difference between Romero being regular to full champion. The same fights are available to him, and he’s still viewed as one of the two lesser champions at 147. He’d always said he wanted these two fighters:

1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Ryan Garcia

Rolly is not going to change his mind now that he’s been elevated to full WBA champ. He’s focused more on money rather than fighting the best. Fans would like to see Romero fight WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. It’s unlikely that he’ll ever do that because he’s too good.

Romero doesn’t fit the label ‘paper champion’ entirely, but he’s awfully close. He’s a champion in name only. The way he won the regular WBA belt wasn’t against a good enough opponent to make him a real champ. He’s what is referred to as an ’email champion.’

Rolly won the WBA ‘regular’ 147-lb title by beating Ryan Garcia, who had never fought at welterweight. The lack of a win against a fighter from the weight hurts Rolando’s credibility

Some fans believe that Ryan is kicking himself for losing to Romero, because he would now be elevated to full WBA champion at 147. That would mean more respect. Garcia has already said that belts aren’t important to him. He just wants to take the best fights.