Romero’s father was concerned about him getting hurt in
boxing.
Still an athletic specimen at 48, Romero has made a career in
bare-knuckle boxing since his most recent MMA bout in February
2024. However, the former
UFC title challenger recently revealed that his father never
wanted him to try boxing, even though he loved it. Romero’s father
was concerned about the potential damage his son could suffer in
boxing. However. “Soldier of God” went to try his hand at pugilism
regardless.
Difference in Opinion
“I wanted to try boxing, but my father said no,” Romero told Red
Corner MMA. “He said, ‘I don’t want you to do boxing because it’s
very hard. Punches in the face, punches in the head.’ He told me
many times, ‘Son, you don’t need to do this.’ I said, ‘Dad, I love
boxing.’ When I see bareknuckles, I see it like boxing. The only
thing is there are no gloves. He said, ‘No, my son, don’t do that.’
But doesn’t matter. My father said no, but now I made it.”
Romero, a former Olympian, has won three straight bouts in Dirty
Boxing and bare-knuckle boxing before returning to his wrestling
roots on the RAF mats. Romero most recently suffered a
controversial decision loss against Vagab
Vagabov in an IBA bare-knuckle fight in Russia last month.
However, Romero’s decision loss is under review by a special
committee.
Yoel Romero
reveals his father opposed boxing, yet he still stepped into
bare-knuckle fighting 😬😅“I wanted to try boxing, but my father said no. He said, I don’t
want you to do boxing because it’s very hard. He told me, son, you
don’t need to do this. I said, dad, I love… pic.twitter.com/QXIYBmpVKN— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
April 10, 2026