Rolly Romero is set to defend his 140 lb title against Isaac Cruz on March 30th, and boxing professionals have weighed in with their predictions for this anticipated matchup. The fight originally emerged after talks between Romero and Ryan Garcia fell through, with Garcia expressing frustration over the failed negotiations and suggesting that Romero chose Cruz for lesser financial gain​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Isaac Cruz has garnered a reputation for his relentless pressure and durability, qualities that many believe will give him an edge against Romero. Cruz’s performance against Gervonta Davis, where he ended Davis’ knockout streak and narrowly lost by decision, has bolstered confidence in his ability to handle powerful opponents​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Rolly Romero, on the other hand, is banking on his knockout power to secure a victory. Known for his self-assuredness and confidence in his punching ability, Romero aims to leverage his physical strength to counter Cruz’s aggressive style. His high KO ratio serves as a testament to his power in the ring​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Naim De Jesus is among those who favor Romero, highlighting his size advantage and power. He believes Cruz might walk into one of Romero’s powerful punches, giving Romero the upper hand​ (Boxing Scene)​. Bullet Cromwell also sees Romero’s awkward style and outside game as potential keys to victory, noting that Cruz’s lack of a jab and reliance on inside fighting could play into Romero’s strengths​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Conversely, Andre Rosier and Greg Hackett predict that Cruz’s relentless pressure will be a significant problem for Romero. Rosier emphasizes Cruz’s ability to out-hustle opponents, referencing his resilience against Gervonta Davis as an indicator of his toughness​ (Boxing Scene)​. Hackett is even more definitive, predicting a fourth-round knockout by Cruz, citing Romero’s lack of experience and defensive skills as critical weaknesses​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Manny Pacquiao, while not picking a favorite, expressed excitement about the fight, underscoring the importance of discipline, perseverance, and heart in boxing​ (Boxing Scene)​. Eddie Hearn also finds the matchup intriguing, acknowledging the power and skill sets both fighters bring to the ring​ (Boxing Scene)​.

Ultimately, the fight presents a classic clash of styles: Cruz’s relentless pressure and work rate against Romero’s power and physicality. This has led to a split among boxing experts, with some favoring Romero’s knockout potential and others leaning towards Cruz’s ability to outwork and pressure his opponents​ (Boxing Scene)​​ (Boxing Scene)​. The bout promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both fighters eager to prove themselves at the 140 lb division