Rolly Romero will make the first defense of his WBA welterweight title against former undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
ESPN boxing reporter Andreas Hale confirmed the matchup on Monday, ending weeks of speculation about Romero’s next opponent. The event will be distributed as a joint pay-per-view by Prime Video and DAZN, an unusual arrangement that gives the card exposure across two major streaming platforms.
Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) captured the WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Ryan Garcia in May, producing one of the biggest upsets of the year. After entering the fight as the underdog, he scored two knockdowns and controlled much of the action to claim the championship.
Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) now moves up to welterweight in pursuit of a world title in a third weight class. The former undisputed lightweight champion has already held titles at 135 and 140 pounds and will attempt to add Rolly’s WBA belt to his resume.
The matchup pits Romero’s power and awkward style against Teofimo’s speed, athleticism and counterpunching ability. Both fighters are known for their confidence outside the ring, adding another layer to a bout that has the potential to generate plenty of attention during the promotion.
The card will also test the commercial appeal of both fighters. The event marks the first major title defense for Rolly since upsetting Ryan Garcia, while Teofimo gets an opportunity to become a three-division world champion.
For Teofimo, the fight represents an opportunity to become a three-division world champion. Romero, meanwhile, has the chance to prove his victory over Ryan Garcia was no fluke by defeating another former unified champion in his first title defense.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/06 at 10:13 PM
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