Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero posted a smiling emoji on X today and responds to the criticism he receives from posters for thawing his overdue WBA duty Shakhram Giyasov in favor of finalizing a fight against the soon 47-year-old Manny Pacquiao for January 2026.
Rolly mocked fans with emoji
Along with the smiling emoji, the WBA Welterweight Champion Rolly (17-2, 13 COs) posted a short message and said: “Who’s fighting Rolly next?” The message indicates that Romero fans troll and let them know that he is not bothered by the setback he received about Giyasov in favor of a fight against Pacquiao.
Denying a daughter’s dream
What makes Rolly look worse is that Giyasov allegedly promised his 2-year-old daughter that he would become a world champion before she died of an illness in March 2025. It was a brain disease that took her life.
“It’s a fight for my daughter, it’s a win for my daughter. I promised my daughter that I would be a world champion. She believed meI did, ”Giyasov said after his fourth round victory over Franco Ocampo on April 12, 2025.
Giyasov’s mandate title shot is in arrears, after being ordered on April 22, 2025. At the time, Jaron Ennis was still the WBA champion after defeating former belt holder Eimantas Stanionis to win his title on April 12.
Who fights next 😆
– Rolly 🤍 (@Signup4kos) October 3, 2025
Will the WBA come in?
The WBA should not allow Romero Giyasov to swing in favor of a fight against Pacquiao. Rolly must be ordered to defend against Giyasov or be stripped of his belt as he goes through the Pacquiao battle.
The Filipine star Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 CO’s) has only fought once since August 2021, and struggled on July 19, 2025, to a 12-round majority against the WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios. Pacquiao does not earn a second world title.
Giyasov has been compulsory since June 17, 2023. The WBA waited a year before ordering former welterweight champion Eimantas Stanionis to defend against Giyasov. Instead, he chose to fight IBF champion Jaron Ennis in a unification.
Last updated on 10/03/2025
