Teofimo Lopez Anticipates Championship Redemption

Rolly Says Everybody Else ‘Ducked’

Romero has spent more than a year attempting to secure another marquee opponent. A potential unification fight with Devin Haney failed to materialize, and Romero says proposed fights against several other major names went nowhere as well.

“Ryan Garcia ducked, Manny Pacquiao, Conor Benn, all of them ducked me,” Romero said. Then he turned directly toward Lopez.

“Thank you for taking the fight, but you didn’t take it the first time,” Romero said. “You declined the fight, then you tried to run to Zuffa Boxing. They didn’t want you, and then you came back.”

Lopez strongly disputed that characterization, insisting Zuffa Boxing was interested in him. The exchange was another reminder that friendships in boxing can become complicated once millions of dollars and championship belts enter the conversation.

Lopez Questions Rolly’s Feelings Toward Him

Lopez also challenged Romero about their relationship.“I always knew how you always were about me,” Lopez said. “I was always kind about it, because I got a big heart.”

Lopez believes Romero ultimately accepted the matchup for the same reason every champion accepts a challenger. “You took the fight because you believe you can beat me,” Lopez said.

Romero pushed back hard against any suggestion that he has secretly rooted against Lopez. “Don’t say I’m a hater because you know of all the boxers, I’m the only one to ever support you,” Romero said. “Don’t say I never supported you. They can say whatever they want, but I’ve never been a liar.”

There’s history behind that statement.

Their Friendship Goes Back a Decade

Romero and Lopez aren’t two fighters manufacturing a friendship storyline during fight week. They’ve known each other for roughly a decade and previously sparred together.

Their relationship even extended beyond boxing. Romero has acknowledged that Lopez gave him $5,000 in 2019, money that helped him during an earlier stage of his career.

That’s what makes Saturday’s fight unusual. These aren’t merely two champions who have been friendly at press conferences. They’ve helped each other. Now they’ll try to hurt each other.

I have Teofimo Lopez winning by majority decision at 116-112.