NEW YORK – However their fight unfolds Saturday night, Rolando Romero will be forever thankful that he has received this second chance to produce the first-round knockout of Gervonta Davis that he has repeatedly predicted he’ll deliver.

Romero maintained his innocence to those close to him throughout his sexual assault ordeal. Nothing was guaranteed, however, once Mayweather Promotions, Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime understandably removed him late in October from his pay-per-view main event versus Davis, which was initially scheduled for December 5 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Detectives for the Henderson (Nevada) Police Department investigated an acquaintance’s claim that Romero sexually assaulted her at some point in the fall of 2019. They closed their case without filing charges against Romero, which enabled the aforementioned companies to reschedule Davis-Romero for Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (9 p.m. ET; $74.99).

While appreciative of his second shot at Davis’ WBA world lightweight title, Romero remains angered by what he considers irrevocable damage done to his career and reputation. He’ll ultimately still earn a career-high payday for facing Davis, but Romero pointed out that Isaac Cruz, who replaced him on five weeks’ notice, could’ve upset Davis or Davis could’ve suffered a debilitating injury between bouts that could’ve cost him the opportunity that once was taken away from him.

“Anything can happen,” Romero told BoxingScene.com. “People don’t take their opportunities as blessings because at the end of the day, you never really know what you’ve got until it’s gone. And, you know, I had it. I had something that I asked for f------ years, for three, four years, you know? And I lost in just an instant over honestly some bullsh!t. The person that did this, there’s no repercussions, no nothing.

“And I think it’s sad that innocent people go through sh!t like this over money. And it’s really sad because this was just honestly a money grab, you know? I was found innocent, obviously, you know? Like I said, it was just bullsh!t. And honestly, I feel like this happens a lot more often than it should.”

Cromwell “Bullet” Gordon, Romero’s head trainer, was one of the most important components of his fighter’s support system while the legal process played out late in 2021 and early this year. Gordon provided positive reinforcement every day and tried to assure Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) that his grudge match with Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) would be rescheduled once he was exonerated.

“It was an extremely difficult time,” Gordon told BoxingScene.com. “This is a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity, and to get it back, he couldn’t be happier.”

Gordon noticed constructive changes in a maturing Romero’s behavior away from boxing because of the ordeal he endured.

“He doesn’t hang out,” Gordon said. “He doesn’t just do things recklessly or carelessly with whoever. He’s very much at home. He’s turned into a homebody, where he really focuses his time on playing chess, staying out of the limelight and just really focusing on his career.”

The 26-year-old Romero, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, became calmer and more appreciative of his family during the most trying time of his young life. The former judo standout leaned on his father and assistant trainer, Rolando Sr., his mother, Tiffany, and his younger sister, Angelica, who overcame a complicated case of COVID-19 that caused her to be hospitalized twice while her brother’s career was in limbo late last year.

“My dream and my goal in all of this, honestly, is I wanna get my mom a house,” Romero said. “That’s all I wanted, you know? I wanted that and obviously to become a star. That moment was taken from me, and I’m blessed that I got the opportunity back. I do feel that this extra time was beneficial for me because not only did I learn a little bit more in the ring and stuff, I learned more about myself during this time I was with myself.

“I spent a lot of time alone over this past like six months. Didn’t talk to anybody. Just sat there and found me, the real me. I feel like not only did I find me, I grew up more as a man. I feel like I’m not as impulsive anymore. I’m a little bit more calm now than what I used to be. Social media doesn’t interest me as much as it used to. I started spending more time with family. I cherish every moment that I spend with them now.”

Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.