Rolly Romero And Teofimo Lopez Ready For Battle

Before they were rivals, Rolly Romero helped keep Teofimo Lopez in the sport.

Now the two friends meet across the ring Saturday, with Lopez challenging for Romero's WBA welterweight title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Back in 2019, a grueling decision win over Masayoshi Nakatani had Lopez weighing retirement. Romero talked him out of it: "I said, 'Go and fight for a world title, and then quit boxing if you want, but leave boxing as a champion,'" Romero

When a broken hand later sidelined Romero, Lopez sent him $5,000 — money Romero invested and credits with kickstarting his finances. The two have been sparring partners since 2016, though Romero says none of that history will matter once the bell rings.

Romero is coming off a win over Ryan Garcia that saw him elevated from interim to full champion and defends the title for the first time. Lopez, meanwhile, steps up to welterweight chasing a third divisional crown after his loss to Shakur Stevenson.