Orlando Romero began his professional career as a boxer on February 24, 1979, defeating Rafael Pando by a six round decision in Lima.
Among the fighters he beat were Oscar Huertas (twice), Antonio Cruz (against whom Romero retained the Latin American Lightweight title by a twelve-rounds decision on May 17, 1982, in Lima) and Jerome Artis.
Romero gained some celebrity outside Peru after this bout, with Ring En Español dedicating various articles to the Peruvian boxer.
On January 14, 1984, he outpointed former Samuel Serrano world title challenger Benedicto Villablanca over ten rounds in Trujillo.
After one more win, he lost to another well-known Peruvian boxer, the then up and coming Geronimo Luque, by a knockout in nine rounds on December 1, at Lima.