Alberto Puello (21-0) will make the first defense of his WBA super lightweight title on May 13th when he faces former lightweight title challenger Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-1). The fight will top a Showtime Championship boxing telecast. 

The Dominican Republic’s Puello captured the title in August when he defeated Botirzhon Akhmedov via split decision in Hollywood, Florida. He entered the fight a big underdog but left the ring with his hand raised in victory. The final scores were 117-111 twice for Puello and 115-113 for Akhmedov. 

Puello is looking to make the biggest fights possible at 140 pounds and believes a dominant win over Romero will put his name in the mix for all of the top names in the division. 

“On May 13th I plan on making a statement and putting on a show for the fans,” Puello told BoxingScene.com. 

“So far the other champions haven’t wanted to fight me but I think that after making a spectacular fight, they will have no choice but to fight me.”

Puello’s trainer Bob Santos is in agreement with his pupil. He believes the well known Romero is the perfect opponent to help raise his fighter’s profile.  

“Rolly is a character.  We know he likes to talk and even though he lost, he raised his profile in his fight against Gervonta Davis,” said Santos. 

“I thought Rolly was winning the fight when he got caught but that is boxing. Anything can happen. He is dangerous but we have the perfect game plan to get the victory.”  

Romero’s 5th round knockout loss to Davis in May 2022 was his last ring appearance. He had knocked out his previous three opponents. 

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