It looks as if Gervonta Davis will now be facing Isaac Cruz on December 5 after Rolando Romero was pulled from the main event bout.
ESPN was the first to report that Romero is out of the fight following a woman accusing him of sexual assault through multiple Twitter messages. Romero would have competed inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Davis' WBA Lightweight Title.
The woman, Izabel Zambrano, stated she filed a police report on Friday night. The matter is now considered an open investigation. Zambrano, 24, went into further detail with SI's Chris Mannix that the ordeal happened in the fall of 2019. As to why she didn't come forward before, Zambrano would tell Mannix:
“It just seemed like he was everywhere,” said Zambrano. “I went to YouTube to turn on a video of my daughter, I see a video of him. I go on Twitter, I see a video of him. I go on Facebook, I see a video of him. I turn on the TV … I didn’t realize I had PTSD from that night. I was so confused and so ashamed that I had put myself in a position like that. Now, I’m very triggered by what happened. I can no longer sit and bottle it up while he gets to live this life and be glorified and no one’s voice is heard.”
Romero recently fought in July, beating Anthony Yigit via TKO. An interim WBA Lightweight Champion, Romero debuted in 2016 and has twelve wins via knockout. He would take to social media to discuss the situation, complying while also denying the position he is in.
"Although the allegations against me are totally false and I will prove that through the legal system, I agree that it is in the best interest of everyone involved that I not participate in the upcoming pay-per-view event. After clearing my name I will return to the ring as soon as possible."
Isaac Cruz, 23, made his professional debut in 2015. He has won two fights in 2021, his last one against Francisco Vargas in June. Cruz is on an eighteen-fight unbeaten streak dating back to 2016.
The will be the third defense of the WBA (Regular) Lightweight Title for Davis. The Showtime and Mayweather Promotions fighter last competed in June, beating Mario Barrios via TKO. An IBF Super-Featherweight Champion, Davis has moved in weight in order to show his skills to the world.
Davis is not unfamiliar with controversy as well. In 2020 he was arrested for battery/domestic violence against his former girlfriend at a University of Miami basketball game.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for ‘Fightful Fight Night’ watch alongs for all major MMA and Boxing events!
