Rolando “Rolly” Romero, the WBA Super World Welterweight Champion, has officially ended negotiations for a unification bout with WBO titleholder Devin Haney, declaring he is “done” with the fellow champion. In an interview reported on May 28, 2026, Rolando Romero accused Devin Haney’s team of ceasing all communication despite receiving what he described as a lucrative contract offer for a fight on Amazon Prime. The breakdown follows a public exchange where Haney’s camp reportedly accused Romero of “ducking” the matchup before talks ultimately stalled.
The 30-year-old champion expressed deep frustration with the negotiation process, claiming that Devin Haney and his representatives wasted his time. Rolando Romero revealed that he had initially been hesitant to engage with the Haney camp due to past perceptions of their professionalism. “I just didn’t want to deal with them originally because, like I said, they are clowns, and I knew that they were gonna do this,” Romero stated in a blunt assessment of his rival’s management.
The fallout is particularly sharp given that Rolando Romero claims he was the party pushing the deal across the finish line. He noted that once he applied pressure by sending the official offer and contract for a broadcast on Prime, the response from the Haney side vanished. This incident adds to a growing list of high-profile boxing match delays by contract talks that have frustrated fans and fighters alike in recent seasons.
Rolando Romero labels Devin Haney the most hyped boxer of the era
Following the collapse of the talks, Rolando Romero has shifted his focus to critiquing Devin Haney’s standing in the sport. The WBA champion argued that Haney is “the most hyped-up boxer of this whole entire era,” suggesting that the WBO champion’s public persona does not match his willingness to finalize difficult fights. This verbal assault marks a permanent pivot away from a fight that was once rumored for May 30 at the Barclays Center.
Rolando Romero, who fights out of an orthodox stance with a 76% knockout ratio, holds a record of 17-2 with 13 KOs. He earned his current status after a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Garcia in May 2025, with scores of 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109. He was recently elevated to “Super” champion status on May 22, 2026, following the vacancy left by Jaron “Boots” Ennis.
Devin Haney, the 27-year-old WBO champion, remains undefeated at 33-0, though his April 2024 encounter with Ryan Garcia is now a no-contest following Garcia’s positive tests for Ostarine. Haney won his title by defeating Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025 in Riyadh. Despite his reach and height advantages over Romero, the wait for a definitive welterweight unification continues as the two sides remain at odds over how the talks dissolved.
WBA mandatory obligations and future paths for Rolando Romero
With the Devin Haney project abandoned, the World Boxing Association (WBA) has dictated the next steps for Rolando Romero’s title reign. The governing body has established that he must defend his belt against the winner of the upcoming clash between Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall. This mandatory defense must be scheduled within a 180-day window following the conclusion of that eliminator bout.
The path forward is already fraught with tension, as Giyasov alleges Romero is ducking his mandatory responsibilities to pursue more profitable ventures. However, Romero’s recent activity suggests he is willing to face top-tier talent, having rehabilitated his career after a TKO loss to Isaac Cruz in early 2024. Successive wins over Manuel Jaimes and Ryan Garcia have re-established him as a major player at 147 pounds.
As the welterweight division recalibrates, the sport faces its familiar struggle of aligning the best fighters on a unified schedule. Just as Fury-Joshua contracts still pending have slowed the heavyweight ranks, the clash between Romero and Haney appears to be another casualty of modern boxing politics. Romero seems content to move on, focusing on his WBA status while the Haney camp considers their next move in the wake of these failed negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rolando Romero stop negotiations with Devin Haney?
Rolando Romero ended the talks because he claims Devin Haney’s team stopped responding to communication after he sent a “lucrative” contract offer. Romero accused the camp of being “clowns” and wasting his time after they had publicly accused him of avoided the fight.
What is Rolando Romero’s current record and championship status?
Rolando Romero has a professional record of 17 wins (13 KOs) and 2 losses. He is currently the WBA Super World Welterweight Champion, a title he was elevated to on May 22, 2026, following his victory over Ryan Garcia the previous year.
Who is the mandatory challenger for Rolando Romero’s WBA title?
The WBA has ruled that Rolando Romero must face the winner of the fight between Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall. The champion is required to fulfill this mandatory obligation within 180 days of the conclusion of that eliminator matchup.
