Danny Romero (boxer)
Daniel Gregorio "Danny" Romero Jr. (born July 12, 1974) is an American former professional boxer who competed between 1992 and 2006. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF flyweight title from 1995 to 1996 and the IBF junior bantamweight title from 1996 to 1997.
Danny Romero | |
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Statistics | |
Real name | Daniel Gregorio Romero |
Nickname(s) | Kid Dynamite |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[1] |
Reach | 68 in (173 cm)[1] |
Born | Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | July 12, 1974
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 52 |
Wins | 45 |
Wins by KO | 38 |
Losses | 5 |
Draws | 2 |
Professional career
Romero's first fight as a professional was on September 14, 1992, when he knocked out Raul Hernandez in the first round at Phoenix, Arizona. His first eight bouts all took place in the Phoenix area, and he won all, seven by knockout. His first fight outside Phoenix was on April 13, 1993, when he knocked out Alberto Cantu in three rounds at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. On May 22 of that year, he had his first professional fight in his hometown, Albuquerque New Mexico USA, knocking out Silverio Porras in two rounds.
Romero won five more bouts in a row, including a victory over former Alex Sanchez world title challenger Orlando Malone, before having his first chance to fight for a belt: On May 5, 1994, he knocked out Brian Lonon in two rounds to win the NABF regional Flyweight title. He retained the title four times, and added three non-title victories, before challenging for a world championship for the first time. On April 22, 1995, he became the IBF's world Flyweight champion with a twelve round unanimous decision over Francisco Tejedor, at the MGM Grand Arena, in Las Vegas. He defended the title once, then faced the unheralded Willy Salazar in a non-title bout, on September 8. Romero suffered a 7th round TKO loss to Salazar, in what Ring Magazine heralded as the "upset of the year" for 1995. In that fight he was ahead on all score cards before having the fight stopped due to an eye injury. He bounced back with a first round knockout victory over former WBO world Flyweight champion Jose Quirino.
Romero then decided to move up in weight division, to the Super Flyweight division. After one win in that division, he was given a chance at his second world championship. On August 24, 1996, Romero knocked out Colombian Harold Grey in two rounds to conquer his second world title. Even as he had lost to Salazar previously, interest in a fight between Romero and Johnny Tapia began to increase.
After winning two more fights, both times Romero retaining his world title by knockout, Romero and Tapia met to unify the IBF and WBO world Super Flyweight championships. On July 18, 1997, the long-awaited bout finally took place, with Tapia winning a close twelve round unanimous decision.[2][3]
Romero won three fights in a row, then lost, on Halloween night, 1998 to Vuyani Bungu by a twelve round decision in an attempt to win a title in a third division, this time the IBF Super-Bantamweight title.
Romero would go on to win ten of his next twelve bouts, including a first round knockout over former world champion Rodolfo Blanco and a sixth round knockout over the respected Famosito Gomez. On September 27, 2002, Danny fought Cruz Carbajal but the fight was stopped by Romero's trainer, former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad after round four due to an injury suffered in the first round.
On May 23, 2003, in front of his hometown crowd following a twelve round unanimous decision win over Trinidad Mendoza gave him his third world title in three different weight classes, winning the IBA's Super-Bantamweight title.
Other achievements
Romero does occasional television jobs, specifically for the Showtime boxing network as well as commercials and movies. Developed his own promotional company called "Danny Romero Productions." The company promotes shows of any kind and currently has professional fighters signed to the company. A private boxing gym was purchased to provide his fighters with elite training. The gym prepares Danny as well as his pro fighters for possible upcoming events.
Comeback
Romero Jr.'s father was stricken with a rare liver disorder, a form of cirrhosis that would kill him without a transplant. Inspired by his father's battle, Romero Jr. returned to the ring and, fighting for the first time in two years, was held to a majority draw by Alex Ali Baba (21-7-1) in an eight-round junior featherweight fight.
Professional boxing record
52 fights | 45 wins | 5 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 38 | 2 |
By decision | 7 | 3 |
Draws | 2 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53 | Win | 45–5–2 | Edgar Pedraza | TKO | 4 (8), 2:16 | Jul 1, 2006 | Sky City Arena, Acoma, New Mexico, U.S. | |
52 | Draw | 44–5–2 | Alex Baba | MD | 8 | May 14, 2005 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
50 | Win | 44–5–1 | Trinidad Mendoza | UD | 12 | May 23, 2003 | Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Won IBA junior featherweight title |
49 | Loss | 43–5–1 | Cruz Carbajal | RTD | 4 (12), 3:00 | Sep 27, 2002 | Isleta Casino and Resorts, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | For WBO bantamweight title |
48 | Win | 43–4–1 | Domingo Guillen | KO | 1 (12) | Jul 19, 2002 | Isleta Casino and Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Retained NABA bantamweight title |
47 | Win | 42–4–1 | Cuauhtemoc Gomez | TKO | 7 (12) | Jun 1, 2002 | Isleta Casino and Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Won vacant NABA bantamweight title |
46 | Loss | 41–4–1 | Ratanachai Sor Vorapin | MD | 10 | Sep 29, 2001 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
45 | Win | 41–3–1 | Arman Pedemonte | TKO | 4 (?) | Nov 25, 2000 | Artesia, New Mexico, U.S. | |
44 | Win | 40–3–1 | Jorge Alberto Reyes | RTD | 2 (10), 3:00 | Oct 7, 2000 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
43 | Win | 39–3–1 | Jorge Munoz | UD | 12 | May 6, 2000 | Pan American Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S. | Won WBO-NABO junior featherweight title |
42 | Win | 38–3–1 | Adarryl
Johnson |
TKO | 5 (10), 0:50 | Mar 4, 2000 | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
41 | Win | 37–3–1 | Rodolfo Blanco | KO | 1 (10), 0:56 | Jan 8, 2000 | University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
40 | Win | 36–3–1 | Richard Dinkins | TKO | 1 (8), 2:18 | Dec 4, 1999 | Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
39 | Win | 35–3–1 | Leonardo Gutierrez | KO | 6 (10), 2:25 | Aug 14, 1999 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
38 | Draw | 34–3–1 | Enrique Jupiter | SD | 10 | Jun 11, 1999 | Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | |
37 | Win | 34–3 | David Vazquez | UD | 10 | May 8, 1999 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
36 | Loss | 33–3 | Vuyani Bungu | MD | 12 | Oct 31, 1998 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | For IBF junior featherweight title |
35 | Win | 33–2 | Tomas Cordoba | KO | 1 (10), 2:25 | Jul 19, 1998 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. | |
34 | Win | 32–2 | Joe Manzani | UD | 10 | Feb 24, 1998 | Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S. | |
33 | Win | 31–2 | Roberto Lopez | KO | 5 (10), 1:38 | Nov 25, 1997 | County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S. | |
32 | Loss | 30–2 | Johnny Tapia | UD | 12 | Jul 18, 1997 | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Lost IBF super flyweight title; For WBO super flyweight title |
31 | Win | 30–1 | Jaji Sibali | KO | 6 (12), 2:34 | Mar 8, 1997 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Retained IBF super flyweight title |
30 | Win | 29–1 | Hipolito Saucedo | TKO | 12 (12), 1:01 | Nov 1, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | Retained IBF super flyweight title |
29 | Win | 28–1 | Harold Grey | KO | 2 (12), 1:25 | Aug 24, 1996 | University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Won IBF super flyweight title |
28 | Win | 27–1 | Esteban Ayala | TKO | 3 (10), 1:41 | May 30, 1996 | Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 26–1 | José Quirino | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 27, 1996 | Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
26 | Loss | 25–1 | Willy Salazar | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Sep 8, 1995 | The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Miguel Martinez | KO | 6 (12), 1:15 | Jul 29, 1995 | Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Francisco Tejedor | UD | 12 | Apr 22, 1995 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Won IBF flyweight title |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Javier Cintron | KO | 3 (10), 2:59 | Feb 10, 1995 | University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Andres Cazares | KO | 1 (10), 1:25 | Dec 8, 1994 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Domingo Sosa | TKO | 1 (12), 1:06 | Nov 18, 1994 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained NABA super flyweight title |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Marcos Pechco | RTD | 6 (12), 3:00 | Oct 12, 1994 | University Arena, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Won vacant NABA super flyweight title |
19 | Win | 19–0 | Manuel Jesus Herrera | TKO | 12 (12), 2:56 | Sep 9, 1994 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NABA flyweight title |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Facundo Rodriguez | TKO | 1 (10), 2:50 | Aug 3, 1994 | Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 17–0 | Hugo Torres | TKO | 6 (12), 2:59 | May 27, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Retained NABA flyweight title |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Brian Lonon | TKO | 2 (12), 2:59 | May 5, 1994 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Won vacant NABA flyweight title |
15 | Win | 15–0 | Elidio Dominguez | KO | 3 (10), 2:42 | Feb 9, 1994 | Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Armando Diaz | TKO | 9 (10), 0:42 | Jan 9, 1994 | Bing Crosby Hall At Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, U.S. | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Juan Gabriel Cortes | TKO | 1 (8) | Nov 30, 1993 | Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Orlando Malone | TKO | 5 (10), 2:24 | Aug 9, 1993 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Manuel Robles | UD | 6 | Jun 19, 1993 | Summit, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Silverio Porras | TKO | 2 (12), 2:4 | May 22, 1993 | Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | Won New Mexico state super flyweight title |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Alberto Cantu | TKO | 3 (6), 2:42 | Apr 13, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | Aureo Dominguez | TKO | 5 (6) | Feb 16, 1993 | Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Oscar Jimenez | KO | 1 (4) | Jan 15, 1993 | Camelback Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | Andres Aguilar | UD | 4 | Oct 27, 1992 | Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Ruben Luzaniacla | TKO | 2 (4) | Oct 2, 1992 | Wyndam Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Eduardo Avalos | KO | 1 (4), 0:32 | Sep 16, 1992 | Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Alfredo Torrez | TKO | 1 (4), 1:52 | Aug 29, 1992 | Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Mauro Betancourt | TKO | 1 (4), 0:35 | Aug 18, 1992 | Red Lion Inn and Casino, Elko, Nevada, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Raul Hernandez | KO | 1 (4), 1:12 | Aug 14, 1992 | Omni Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
References
- HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Johnny Tapia fight.
- "Gangs, gun fights and murder - what goes on around a fight is not ..." The Independent. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
- "Johnny Tapia's crazy life, boxing career under HBO Sports spotlight". LA Daily News. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2018.