Teofimo Lopez has ruled out an immediate rematch against Rolando Romero after winning the WBA welterweight title by majority decision in Las Vegas. Lopez secured the belt on Saturday night before dismissing his opponent’s demands for a second bout.
Romero had selected Lopez for a voluntary defense despite holding no obligation to face him. The official ringside scorecards reflected a close contest, with one judge scoring it 114-114, while the other two awarded Lopez the victory with scores of 115-113 and 116-112. Romero produced noticeable damage during the contest, cutting Lopez above his right eye, knocking him off balance with a fifth-round left hook, and catching him with a looping right hand that buckled his knees later in the fight.
However, long stretches of passivity ultimately proved costly for the defending champion. While physical evidence supported portions of Romero’s complaint, his isolated attacks were insufficient to offset his overall low output. Lopez maintained steady forward pressure behind an active jab and sustained work to the body, whereas Romero spent long periods waiting for counter-punching opportunities.
Despite the outcome, Romero argued that the scoring had unfairly denied him victory. He stated: “I never get a fair shake, and it’s apparent. I clearly outboxed him. I cut him. I hurt him multiple times. It’s clear as day, I deserve a rematch. Honestly, that decision was self-explanatory,”
Romero gave Lopez an opportunity when free to select any opponent, only to be denied a reciprocal chance after losing the belt. Without a contractual rematch clause in place, however, he possesses no leverage to compel a repeat encounter.
At the post-fight press conference, the newly crowned WBA champion immediately turned his attention elsewhere. Lopez intends to pursue the winner of the upcoming bout between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn. Following that potential fight, he aims to target WBC champion Devin Haney and IBF champion Liam Paro in unification contests. Those potential fights offer financial and championship incentives that Romero cannot match, leaving the deposed champion without an immediate route back to the belt.
