Teofimo Lopez Beats Rolly Romero, Becomes 3-Division Champ

Teofimo Lopez took the WBA welterweight title from Rolly Romero by majority decision Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, making him a three-division world champion in his first fight at 147 pounds.

The scorecards read 115-113 and 116-112 for Lopez, with judge Glenn Feldman turning in a 114-114 draw, numbers far tighter than the fight looked to most people watching. Lopez, now 23-2 with 13 knockouts, controlled range and tempo against Romero, the hard-hitting Las Vegas native who was defending his belt for the first time.

Lopez said the tight cards did not bother him. "The score card, I couldn't care less, because in the end we got the victory," he said. He also pushed back on any notion that Romero's power ever had him in real trouble, saying he got caught but recovered quickly. "I was just buzzed, honestly. Maybe my legs said something different, but I got right back up."

What Happened Late In The Fight

Lopez said he had to change gears mid-fight after Romero settled into a more patient, counter-heavy approach. "I expected something similar to this, just a little more combinations from Rolly's side, but he was just calculated and staying composed, listening to the instructions in his corner. But we had to go and push the fight," Lopez said. He credited his composure in the rocky moments to experience built over his career, specifically thanking his former matchmakers. "I've got that ring experience. I think that's what's helped me throughout this journey. I want to thank Top Rank, I want to thank the matchmakers, Bruce Trampler and Brad Goodman. Because of the way that they worked my career, I was able to weather the storm tonight."

Lopez also made clear this was not a soft landing at a new weight. "We didn't take a tune-up, we fought the WBA champion in Rolando Romero, and this is what comes with it," he said.

What's Next For Teofimo Lopez

Lopez was not ready to name a next opponent. He said he plans to step away from the sport briefly with a child on the way before turning to future plans. "I'll be honest, I've got a baby on the way, I just want to take some father time, man. We'll talk about what's next after this, but I want to just take a moment to feel like all of you guys, like a human," he said.

Betting Angle

The scorecards matter more to bettors than the headline result here. Two of three judges had this fight within two rounds and one judge saw it dead even, which tells you the market and the live betting swung more than the actual output on the cards suggested. For anyone pricing Lopez's next fight, the lesson is that judges are treating him as touchable at 147 pounds even when he is clearly landing the cleaner work, and that should keep his number more competitive than his resume alone would suggest against the next live underdog he faces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Teofimo Lopez beat Rolly Romero?

Yes, Teofimo Lopez defeated Rolly Romero by majority decision to win the WBA welterweight title, with scores of 115-113, 116-112, and a 114-114 draw card.

Is Teofimo Lopez a three-division world champion?

Yes, Teofimo Lopez became a three-division world champion by beating Rolly Romero for the WBA welterweight title in his first fight at 147 pounds.

What did Teofimo Lopez say about his next fight?

Teofimo Lopez said he plans to take time off following the birth of his child before deciding on his next opponent.