Teofimo Lopez vs. Rolly Romero fight predictions, fight card, odds, start time, expert picks
Romero is something of an unexpected world champion, although he has accomplished the feat twice in his career. Always a popular fighter due to his big personality and strong social media presence, Romero has never displayed elite boxing skills, instead relying on an attacking style and solid power.
In 2022, Romero received his first opportunity to reach the top of the sport, but was brutally stopped by Gervonta “Tank” Davis in the sixth round.
In his next fight after losing to Davis, Romero won his first world championship, scoring a ninth-round technical knockout victory over Ismael Barroso to capture the vacant WBA junior welterweight championship. That victory was heavily marred by the fact that Romero was being completely outplayed by Barroso, a late replacement in the fight, when the referee intervened for a clear early stoppage almost the second Romero had gained momentum.
Romero lost the title in his next outing, being stopped by Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Two fights later, Romero again found himself playing the “B side” of a big-name fighter when he faced Ryan Garcia in New York’s Times Square.
Brian Campbell
Garcia fought the worst fight of his life, putting in a lifeless performance that allowed Romero to win the WBA “regular” welterweight title, and he was subsequently elevated to outright champion when Jaron Ennis vacated his belt to move up in weight.
Now, Romero faces Lopez, a fighter who has always been seen as a man with elite talent but a lack of mental game, almost the opposite of Romero.
Lopez won the first 16 fights of his career, a streak that culminated with a victory over Richard Commey to claim the IBF lightweight championship and Vasiliy Lomachenko to add the WBA and WBO titles.
Just when it looked like Lopez was ready to take over the sport, he suffered a devastating setback when he lost a split decision to massive underdog George Kambosos Jr. Lopez was knocked down by Kambosos and clearly lost the fight, making the only card he scored a rarity that seemed to convince Lopez’s boxing elites had conspired against the biggest-name fighter with the biggest fan base and the biggest promoter in favor of a largely unknown fighter in the sport.
When Lopez performed a backflip after the Kambosos loss, it confirmed to many that the mental issues Lopez had displayed throughout his career, along with a seemingly unhealthy attachment to his father who was his coach, may prevent him from reaching his true potential.
Lopez bounced back with six wins of varying quality, including fights against Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz, and some impressive victories, including over Josh Taylor to capture the WBO junior welterweight title.
That streak led to Lopez’s most recent fight, where he was comprehensively outclassed by Shakur Stevenson in 12 rounds. López was almost eliminated that night, losing 119-109 on the three official scorecards.
Against Stevenson, Teófimo López Sr. offered little constructive advice in the corner, something López Jr. has taken issue with in the months since the loss, continuing their tumultuous relationship.
“I’m fighting a big puncher at 147 and moving up to that weight for the first time,” Lopez said at a recent media workout. “We are taking a risk, because there is no risk and no reward. I am just focusing on my goals so I can come out victorious.
“Every fight at 147 will be my most important fight. I won’t say they will all be the most challenging. The best man will end up on top. Right now I’m just focused on Rolly Romero.”
Elsewhere on the card, rising middleweight prospect Yoenli Hernandez returns to face Francisco Daniel Veron. The 29-year-old Cuban has looked like a real player since making his professional debut in 2022. He has compiled a 10-0 record with nine knockouts to his name. He earned his biggest victory to date against Terrell Gausha in a fourth-round knockout.
“I’m the best middleweight in the world right now,” Hernandez said in a recent media session. “My hunger for glory, my desire to be champion and win all the titles, that’s something I don’t see in the rest of the division. Everyone seems to come in, get the title and settle. Not me. I come to get the title, keep it and fight the best. Lately, no one in my weight class wants to face the best.”
Also on Saturday, Gary Antonio Russell returns to the ring when he takes on Victor Santillán at junior featherweight. Russell, one of five wrestling brothers, has a 21-1 record as a professional. However, he only has two fights left since 2024 as he looks to build toward a title shot.
Let’s take a closer look at the rest of Saturday night’s card in Las Vegas with the latest odds from DraftKings before moving on to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
Romero vs. López fight card, odds
- Teofimo López Jr. -300 vs. Rolando Romero (c) +230, WBA welterweight title
- Yoenli Hernández -1400 vs. Francisco Daniel Verón +750, middleweights
- Gary Antonio Russell -180 vs. Víctor Santillán +140, junior featherweight
- Carlos Utria -1600 vs. Israel Mercado +750, junior welterweight
- Marco Romero -5000 vs. Kahlil Mitchell +1300, middleweights
- Benjamín Johnson against José Gabriel Rodríguez, welterweight
- Joseph Brown -5000 vs. Alton Wiggins +1300, junior middleweights
- Aldo Blancas -5000 vs. Ricky Mamone +1300, junior welterweights
Where to see Romero vs. Lopez
- Date: Saturday August 22 | Start time: 8 pm ET (Main card) (Main event ring walks expected around 11 pm ET)
- Location: T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas
- TV channel/broadcast: DAZN PPV | Price: $79.99
Prediction
López is the best fighter. He is the man with the most natural gifts. He is the fighter with the most technical skills. However, Lopez is also a fighter with some obvious flaws. He has shown mental weakness and a tendency to get nervous when things don’t go easily in the ring. Lopez has also had extreme problems with fighters using the move and not choosing to attack. Sandor Martin took that approach in a fight where he probably deserved the decision, and it left Lopez wondering, “Do I still have it?” after the final bell.
The problem for Romero is that he is highly unlikely to be a fighter who will take a Martin-style approach to fighting Lopez. Romero has a strong mental game, and that’s a good tool against someone like Lopez, but he doesn’t have the style to get more nervous and beat Lopez unless he turns in the best performance of his career.
Romero beat Garcia because Garcia simply didn’t show up that night in New York City. Garcia did not engage and threw no punches, making the night an easy one for Romero. Lopez isn’t likely to fail at that level and, all things being equal, it should be a pretty easy win for Lopez. Whether or not Lopez will be able to get his first knockout victory since 2022 is a more intriguing question. Election: Teófimo López via UD
Who wins Romero vs. Lopez and how exactly does the fight end? Visit SportsLine now for in-depth picks and analysis from the incomparable expert who made more than $2,500 on his combat sports picks last year, and find out.
