The ageless wonder, Yoel Romero, wants to fight until he is in his 50s.
At 45 years old, Romero looks better than some 25-year-olds, which is insane. The Cuban has always been a freak athlete and gifted. There aren’t many professional fighters his age that are at a high level like he is.
Not surprised
Speaking with MMA Junkie, he said he isn’t surprised that he is still fighting at a high level.
“Yeah, I’m not surprised,” Romero said. “What does surprise me, is the shape that I’m in. I mean, I’d train and I would think, ‘I’d love to [be fighting a long time].’ But when you look at yourself and you compare yourself with the youngsters, I sometimes tell them, ‘Hey, you’re letting me get you?’ And they say, ‘No way. You’re catching me because it’s you, but I’m not letting you get me.’ So yeah, it’s like that.”
“Life in athletics is short, but it can be prolonged, and that’s on you. The way you live and your day-to-day, that’s on you. If you unload all your rounds, you’re not going to have any bullets left to fire. It’s the same thing if you mistreat your body, if you’re staying up all night, if you drink and you live a disorganized life. You can go out and do your thing, but you can’t pretend to be partying every day and eating unhealthy because your body is going to call your attention and get you to stop.”
Passing a boxing legend
Romero still has some big plans for his future. He wants to fight into his 50s like boxing legend Bernard Hopkins did. Hopkins retired from boxing at the age of 51, and Romero wants to pass that.
“I want to pass Bernard Hopkins. I want to pass him. I want to make it to 51, 52 years old – that’s the goal that I have. That’s what I see for myself in this sport. I’m 45 now,” Romero said.
It is definitely possible, but Romero has to continue to win. Unfortunately, the “Soldier Of God” is on a four-fight losing streak and lost his Bellator debut against Phil Davis.
The Olympic wrestler has a chance to get back into the win column as he faces Alex Polizzi at Bellator 280 in Paris, France.
