ROLLY ROMERO VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ WEIGH-IN, MEDIA WORKOUT, PRESS CONFERENCE, ODDS & HOW TO WATCH!
Sign up for DAZN to see this fight.
Las Vegas, Nevada (August 22nd, 2026)– Rolando “Rolly” Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) is the house fighter walking in as champion. Cuban-American, born and raised in Las Vegas, 30 years old, 5’8″, 68″ reach, orthodox, weighed in at 146.6 lbs. Trained by Ismael Salas, the veteran Cuban coach who has developed multiple world champions over the years, including Guillermo Rigondeaux and Jorge Linares. Romero makes the first defense of the WBA welterweight title he inherited last August after Jaron Ennis vacated it to move up in weight, following his career-best win over Ryan Garcia.
Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) is the two-division titleholder moving up in search of a third. Brooklyn-born to Honduran parents, 29 years old, 5’8″/5’9″ depending on the source, 68.5″ reach, orthodox, weighed in at 147 lbs, making his welterweight debut. Trained since his 2016 pro debut by his father, Teofimo Lopez Sr., a relationship that has become as much a storyline in this fight as anything happening between the ropes.
Film Study: Rolly Romero
Romero’s whole game is built on imposing his moment. He hunts momentum in the first three rounds, using feints and sudden changes of rhythm to force a messy, broken-timing fight rather than out-boxing anyone over twelve clean rounds. When it works, it’s spectacular: he dropped Ryan Garcia early last May in Times Square and controlled the pace of the entire fight en route to a clear, career-best unanimous decision. When it doesn’t, it’s been costly. Gervonta Davis stopped him in the sixth round in 2022 once he settled into range, and Isaac Cruz took his 140-pound title in 2024 with an eighth-round TKO after Romero’s activity and defense faded down the stretch. The blueprint against Romero is consistent across both losses: survive the early aggression, make him work in deep water, and take advantage once his output and his discipline start to slip.
Key wins: Ryan Garcia (UD, May 2025), Ismael Barroso (TKO 9, May 2023, won the vacant WBA 140 title), Anthony Yigit (UD, Jan 2021).
Key losses: Isaac Cruz (TKO 8, March 2024, lost the WBA 140 title), Gervonta Davis (TKO 6, May 2022, first pro loss).
Film Study: Teofimo Lopez
Lopez remains one of the most talented fighters of his generation on pure tools, the same skill set that produced a stunning unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to unify the lightweight division. But his two career losses share a pattern that should worry his camp here: both came against high-volume, high-IQ boxers (George Kambosos Jr. in 2021, Shakur Stevenson this past January) who took the fight’s rhythm away from him and left him unable to self-motivate mid-round without sharp corner instruction. Against Stevenson, Lopez won a single round on every scorecard and afterward admitted he felt “paralyzed” late in the fight, waiting on direction that never came. He’s blamed the weight, 140 pounds, for both defeats, which is the same explanation driving this jump to 147 for the first time in his career.
Key wins: Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD, Oct 2020, unified lightweight titles), Josh Taylor (UD, June 2023, won WBO 140 title), Jamaine Ortiz (UD, Feb 2024).
Key losses: Shakur Stevenson (UD, Jan 2026, lost WBO/Ring 140 titles), George Kambosos Jr. (SD, Nov 2021, lost unified lightweight titles).
The Father Question
Teofimo Lopez Sr. has trained his son for the entirety of his professional career, and the relationship has never been more publicly strained than it is heading into Saturday. After the Stevenson loss, Lopez Sr. was widely criticized for corner work that offered no real instruction, only criticism, and the fallout played out across multiple podcasts and interviews, with father and son publicly disputing blame for what went wrong. Lopez Jr. has said he felt the more he succeeded, the more he was “losing” his father, describing a give-and-take in their relationship that broke down entirely during Stevenson fight camp. Lopez Sr. initially pushed blame back onto his son before eventually accepting responsibility, at one point telling him directly, “You’re blaming me for it.”
Despite public calls for Lopez to hire an outside trainer, he chose to keep his father in the corner for this camp too. That decision took an unexpected turn just two days before the fight, when Lopez Sr. admitted in an interview during open workouts that personal struggles had affected his ability to do his job. He told YouTube journalist Brendan Taylor he had been struggling with drug use during the period that hurt his son’s career, saying, “I wasn’t in a good place… I let the devil blind me and I didn’t protect my son,” while insisting that chapter is behind him. Whatever the truth of fight week promises, the question hanging over Saturday is whether that same dynamic resurfaces if Lopez is hurt or behind on the cards again.
Keys to Victory
For Romero: Make it ugly early. Romero’s best chance is forcing Lopez to fight off his back foot and deal with pressure in the first four or five rounds, before Lopez’s superior boxing ability and reach can settle into a rhythm. If this turns into a clean, spaced-out technical fight, Lopez’s tools take over.
For Lopez: Box, don’t brawl, and stay in his own head. Lopez has the far cleaner skill set at this weight and should have a real physical advantage after outgrowing 140 pounds, but both of his losses came when things stopped going his way and he needed someone else to reset him mentally mid-fight. If he can control range behind his jab and not get baited into Romero’s chaos, this should be his fight on the cards.
Co-Main Event Preview: Hernandez vs. Veron
Unbeaten Cuban middleweight Yoenli Hernandez (10-0, 9 KOs) headlines the co-main against Argentina’s Francisco Daniel Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs) over 10 rounds. Hernandez, ranked in The Ring’s top five at 160 pounds, has built his 10-0 record breaking from the typical patient Cuban amateur style in favor of heavier, more aggressive punching, and this represents his most significant step up in opposition to date. Veron, moving up from 154 pounds for the assignment, enters on a three-fight winning streak since a 2024 loss to Brandon Adams, with wins over Raul Garcia, Roiman Villa, and Vladimir Hernandez. Veron says he’ll lean on hand speed to offset Hernandez’s size and power advantage. This is a legitimate step-up fight for Hernandez rather than a showcase mismatch, and a genuine test of whether his aggression translates against a durable, live opponent at a full 160 pounds.
Full Fight Card
Welterweight (Main Event, WBA World Title): Rolando Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) vs. Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs)
Middleweight (Co-Main): Yoenli Hernandez (10-0, 9 KOs) vs. Francisco Daniel Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs)
Super Bantamweight (Interim WBA Title): Victor Santillan (16-2, 7 KOs) vs. Gary Antonio Russell (21-1, 13 KOs)
Junior Welterweight: Carlos Utria (14-0, 11 KOs) vs. Israel Mercado (13-1-2, 7 KOs)
Middleweight: Marco Romero (14-0) vs. Kahlil Mitchell (6-1)
Junior Welterweight: Aldo Blancas (2-0) vs. Ricky Mamone (0-0-1)
Welterweight: Benjamin Johnson (7-0) vs. Jose Rodriguez (3-3-1)
Junior Middleweight: Joseph Brown vs. Alton Wiggins
Undercard Opener: Jordan Roach vs. Shaiel Perez
ROLLY ROMERO VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES & PHOTOS
“You don’t want to miss the Rolly show. This is the moment for me to make my legacy.” – Rolly Romero
“It’s put up or shut up at this point…I’m ready to do
whatever it takes.” – Teofimo Lopez
WBA Welterweight World Champion Rolly Romero and
Two-Division World Champion Teofimo Lopez Square Off Saturday, August 22 in PBC Pay-Per-View Event Available on DAZN and Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Click HERE for Photos from Cris Esqueda/
Premier Boxing Champions
Click HERE for Workout Replay Via the Premier Boxing Champions YouTube Channel
LAS VEGAS – August 19, 2026 – WBA Welterweight World Champion Rolly Romero and two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez officially kicked off fight week events Wednesday with the media workout ahead of their world title clash that headlines a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on DAZN and Prime Video this Saturday, August 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Romero and Lopez meet Saturday night in a battle between two of this generation’s most compelling stars. Each enters the ring in the prime of their career, with Romero looking to add a second signature victory to his ledger after beating Ryan Garcia in 2025, while Lopez can become a three-division champion by wresting the title away.
Wednesday’s workout also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard, including unbeaten rising middleweight star Yoenli Hernandez and Argentine slugger Francisco Daniel Veron, who meet in the 10-round co-main event, plus Interim WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Victor Santillan and top contender Gary Antonio Russell, who duel in a 12-round attraction, and super lightweight contender Israel Mercado, who opens the PPV card at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. facing sensational prospect Carlos Utria.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now.
The event is promoted by TGB Promotions, in association with Takeover Promotions.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday from MGM Grand:
ROLLY ROMERO
“I’ve been out of the ring for a minute, but I’m happy to be back on Saturday night. You don’t want to miss the Rolly show. This is the moment for me to make my legacy.
“We’re two completely different fighters than when we sparred together. You’re gonna see what we’re capable of now when that bell rings.
“I’m the one who tries to make all the big fights. Nobody wanted to fight me, for whatever reason. I think everyone knows the real reason. I’m finally at my natural weight.
“I’ve grown up. I’m 30-years-old now. I got some clout and made some money when I was young. Now I’ve changed. I became a better man.
“I was doing Teofimo a favor when we sparred, I was getting him ready for his pro debut. I didn’t even have a fight. But none of that matters now. We’re gonna see on August 22.”
TEOFIMO LOPEZ
“We’re here to make great fights. We want to fight the best of the best and give everyone a great show.
“I just want to put on a good show and entertain all the fans. That’s what they deserve. I want to inspire the next generation.
“This is Teofimo Lopez coming back. I’m ready for this fight. It’s put up or shut up at this point.
They wanna see if I still have it. I’m ready to do whatever it takes.
“This is my road to undisputed at welterweight. It starts August 22. I see myself with my hand raised. Nothing but victory.”
YOENLI HERNANDEZ
“This is the time to put up or shut up. If he doesn’t wanna stand on what he’s said about my style, he’ll have to pay in the ring.
“I’m super motivated for this fight. It’s one thing to call the devil, but it’s another thing when he arrives.
“I fear nothing and I’m ready to go after everything. I respect everyone, but I know what I’m capable of.
“You’re not only gonna see what I’m made of, but I’m gonna humble Veron. He’s been talking trash and now he’s gonna see what happens.”
FRANCISCO DANIEL VERON
“I’m glad to have this opportunity. I’m going to give the best of myself and represent Argentina with pride. You can expect to see me at my best
“His reach and height will not affect me. He’s a little bulkier than me, but it can work against him. I feel that I might be able to use speed to my advantage.
“Everyone is gonna see what I bring. I have a lot of courage. Argentinian boxers are among the best in the world and I’m coming to prove it.”
VICTOR SANTILLAN
“This is so exciting for me. This is a huge motivation to see everyone here with all the love they’re giving me. I’m ready to show my best for everyone.
“I’m so ready for this opportunity. I love to face the best and that’s what I’m doing on Saturday. I’m coming to steal the show.”
GARY ANTONIO RUSSELL
“The game plan is to execute our game plan and come out victorious with my hand raised. Whatever it takes.
“I treat every fight as a championship match. I’m coming to put my best foot forward and show everyone what I’m capable of doing.
“My family knows to stay mentally tough and keep grinding and stay resilient through it all. I’m ready to come out victorious. I expect nothing short of a spectacular performance.”
ISRAEL MERCADO
“I have this opportunity and I’m gonna take advantage of it. I’m the most slept-on fighter in the game and I’m gonna show everyone why on Saturday.
“This is gonna be a very entertaining fight. I’m here to put on a show. I’m here for a reason and I’m gonna go home with a W.”
WBA Welterweight World Champion Rolly Romero and
Two-Division World Champion Teofimo Lopez Square Off Saturday, August 22 in PBC Pay-Per-View Event Available on DAZN and Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Click HERE for Photos from Cris Esqueda/
Premier Boxing Champions
Click HERE for Press Conference Replay Via the
Premier Boxing Champions YouTube Channel
LAS VEGAS – August 20, 2026 – WBA Welterweight World Champion Rolly Romero and two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez went face-to-face during a tense final press conference on Thursday to preview their world title clash that headlines a PBC Pay-Per-View event available on DAZN and Prime Video this Saturday, August 22 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
During Thursday’s press conference the two longtime friends promised to leave that friendship aside when the fight begins, and had a heated exchange about the details of their shared history. The tensions nearly boiled over between the fighter’s respective teams as well, with insults being thrown across the stage between Romero’s trainer Ismael Salas and Lopez’s father and trainer Teofimo Sr.
The press conference also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard, including unbeaten rising middleweight star Yoenli Hernandez and Argentine slugger Francisco Daniel Veron, who meet in the 10-round co-main event, plus Interim WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Victor Santillan and top contender Gary Antonio Russell, who duel in a 12-round attraction, and sensational prospect Carlos Utria and super lightweight contender Israel Mercado, who opens the PPV card with a 10-round matchup at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday:
ROLLY ROMERO
“I know he didn’t want to take this fight, but I’m thankful he took it. It’s gonna be a great show on Saturday night. Don’t miss it.
“I tried to fight everybody else, all the top guys. I wanted a big fight and this is the only guy who stepped up.
“You ever punch someone you loved in the face? If they give me a hundred million dollars I’ll punch my dad in the face right now. The friendship doesn’t matter to me at all when the bell rings.
“They talk about the four kings? They’re four queens and I’m a black knight. I’m gonna show everyone on Saturday night.
“I won the whole fight against Ryan Garcia and I was winning the whole fight against ‘Tank’ Davis too and he hit me with one shot. I wasn’t even supposed to be at that weight anymore. Now I’m at my natural weight and everyone sees what I can do.”
TEOFIMO LOPEZ
“This guy is not in my league. He never was in my league and he never will be.
“Rolly and I go way back. We’ve known each other since the amateurs. We’ve shared a lot of rounds in the ring, and now we’re here 10 years later. He’s the best fighter at 147 and the hardest puncher. I’m the type of guy who goes after those challenges.
“I’m determined, I’m ready and I’m focused on this fight. I know what it takes. He’s a heavy-handed fighter and he’s smart. He’s gotten better throughout the years. Any punch could end this fight, literally.
“Saturday night friendship goes out the window. This is about the dream of being the best in the sport. We’re here to put on a show.
“All the times we sparred, I took it light on you. We’re not gonna do that anymore. I’m gonna put you down. It’s time.
“Right now I’m just focused on climbing the ladder. I’m laser focused. I’m just staying on course and ready to do what I need to do. We’re gonna let our hands do most of the talking.”
YOENLI HERNANDEZ
“I’m not here to prove anything. I don’t need to. I came here to win on August 22.
“I showed in my last fight that no matter who you put in front of me, I’m gonna stream roll them. It doesn’t matter to me.
“I don’t need to showcase anything. I need to get this win and keep moving toward those world title fights.
“I’m not aiming for any specific fighter. All I want are the belts. Whoever has the belts is who I want to face.”
FRANCISCO DANIEL VERON
“I want everyone to know that I’m here to represent Argentina. We have a great legacy to uphold and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.
“I’m coming into this fight better than I’ve ever been. My preparation has been incredible and I’m gonna show everyone on Saturday.
“His power remains to be seen. We’re gonna see inside the ring. We’re going to try to out box him and see what the fight brings. We’ll be ready to adjust on the fly.”
VICTOR SANTILLAN
“I’m here to prove that Dominican boxing is at its best right now. We’re not gonna stop until we get to the top.
He’s a predictable fighter. If I rely on my preparation and stick to my game plan, I’m gonna come out with my hand raised.
“He really shows his cards whenever you’re on top of him. He doesn’t really know what to do. That’s what I see.”
GARY ANTONIO RUSSELL
“Come Saturday I’m looking to come out victorious and in spectacular fashion. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I’m ready to give everyone a great show.
“I’m real anxious to get this belt. I’m ready to get back in the ring and stay active. It’s all been leading up to this.
“Victor is a good tough opponent. He stays disciplined behind his jab. I see very easily how he can be exposed. We’re just gonna capitalize on our game plan.”
CARLOS UTRIA
“I’m here and ready to represent Colombia. My country has been going through a rough time, but I’m here to show that Colombians are resilient. I’m going to show that resiliency on Saturday night.
“I prepared extremely well. This is the perfect opponent to face on such a big card. We’re gonna see what he brings to the ring. I’ll be ready for everything.”
ISRAEL MERCADO
“This is gonna be a great fight on Saturday. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. This is an undefeated opponent, but I’m here to make a statement. I’m gonna expose him on Saturday.
“Every time I face an undefeated fighter, I prevail and come through. This time around, I’m gonna make sure it doesn’t go to the judges hands.
“He’s an explosive fighter, but he’s inexperienced. I believe I’m gonna capitalize on that.”
ISMAEL SALAS, Rolly’s Trainer
“It’s such a pleasure to be here. I’ve always admired Teofimo and his family, but the time has come and it’s time to fight.
“I actually think this fight is going to be like a chess match. Let’s see who can place the pieces in the right position and come out with the win. May the best man win.”
TEOFIMO LOPEZ SR., Lopez’s Father and Trainer
“This fight sells itself. We have two great fighters at 147 pounds. I’m just here to guide my son like always. He’s gonna be a three-time world champion come Saturday. I have no doubt about that.
“You have to tune into this one if you can’t see it live. Rolly comes to fight, but my son is too technical, too smart and too strong for Rolly.”
TOM BROWN, President TGB Promotions
“It’s been a real fun promotion, but now it’s time to put up or shut up. We’ve got two great personalities in Rolly and Teofimo and two guys who are always willing to put it on the line. These guys are both built for this stage.
“You’re gonna want to be in your seats early on Saturday night. There are a number of rising stars who are looking to break out on this undercard.”
BRITTON HARDIN, Head of Boxing, North America, DAZN
“I have a feeling about this one. We have two very dynamic fighters up here on this stage. Teofimo Lopez is powerful, twitchy, strong, fast, and Rolly is a brutal knockout puncher. I don’t think either one of these guys are gonna let friendship get in the way of legacy.
“When you think about friends who fight in this sport, you either get a classic or a sparring match. But these guys’ sparring matches are classics. I’m really excited to see how this unfolds on Saturday night.
“These guys are both talking about legacy. They’re talking about being in the Hall of Fame. They’re talking about undisputed at 147 pounds. They want to join that legacy of great welterweight champions.”
Rolly Romero vs. Teofimo Lopez Average Betting Odds:
Follow Real Combat Media on Facebook
Support Real Combat Media Charity Foundation
Shop at Real Combat Media Fight Store
COMMENTS
English