Jorge Linares Breaks Down Confrontation with Rolly Romero at Mayweather vs Gotti III

Timothy James

June 19, 2023

Jorge Linares has his eyes on the prize – a megafight against Rolly Romero. Or Ryan Garcia – the man’s not picky. Linares spoke with Inside Fighting’s Jesse Rowe, explaining his confrontation with Romero at Mayweather vs Gotti III and who he wants to fight next.

“[Romero] is my friend, I have respect for him,” Linares explained. “But the thing is, the real boxing, he’s not a champion … he lost all the rounds [against Barroso] … I’m sorry, but that’s sh*t for me!”

Linares does not mince words – telling his friend Romero that he thought the Barroso fight was called off early. Romero defeated Barroso via TKO in the 9th round of their bout back in May – but the decision was extremely controversial. Many believed the ref called off the fight too early in a match where Barroso was leading the dance on all three judges scorecards.

Linares wasn’t afraid to share his opinion with Romero.

“I saw that fight [between Romero and Barroso] and I said, why [do] I need to be retired?” Linares continued. “I saw a lot of opportunity to be a champion, if I want.”

Linares is keen on fighting again – with his eyes set on a showdown with either Romero or Ryan Garcia.

“Why not now? … I want to make one, maximum two mores fights. Big fights,” Linares stated. “It’s not about money. It’s about legacy … why not come back to the ring and a good fight at 135 again? Maybe I can be a champion again.”

With a comeback in his sights, Linares only wants the biggest and best bouts. “Ryan Garcia or Romero,” Linares responded when asked which fight he wants most. “That’s the fight that I want.”

Linares thinks he could provide the fans with the action they want – moreso than Romero and Garcia could provide if they fought each other instead of him. “[If] Ryan and Romero make the fight, [it will be a] boring fight … everybody wants to see a legend like me with some young guy like [Romero].”