Rolly Romero says Teofimo Lopez title shot came 'out of love'

Rolly Romero said he granted Teofimo Lopez a shot at his WBA welterweight title because of their friendship, not in spite of it.

Romero defends his belt against Lopez on August 22 in a matchup between longtime friends who have grown apart in recent years. While Lopez downplayed their relationship after the fight was announced, Romero told Ring Magazine's Mike Coppinger that he predicted this moment years ago. "I told him in the back room when we were getting ready for a fight — I said 'you're going to get another opportunity, Teo. You're going to move up to '47, you're going to get another opportunity,'" Romero said, per Bad Left Hook. "And by grace, for some reason I was the one that was able to give him that opportunity. It was out of love."

Romero on fighting a friend at 147

The two have not stayed in close contact. Romero acknowledged that adult life and Lopez's family obligations mean they rarely speak, comparing it to other friendships where the bond remains strong despite limited communication. He said the fight does not change how he feels. "People hurt each other that they love and they care for everyday," Romero told Coppinger. "People you don't love can't hurt you."

Lopez moved up to welterweight after losing his unified lightweight titles to George Kambosos in 2021. Romero captured the WBA belt by stopping Ismael Barroso last year and has defended it twice. The August 22 date has not been paired with a venue announcement yet.

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• Bad Left Hook — ‘It was out of love’: Rolly Romero talks about giving Teofimo Lopez title shot