Rolly Romero to defend WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez

Rolly Romero is set to defend his WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez on August 22. The bout is scheduled to headline a Premier Boxing Champions card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The matchup features two longtime friends. Romero stated that the opportunity for Lopez to move up to the 147-pound division was granted out of affection, noting that while they have drifted apart due to life obligations, the decision was made out of love. Lopez, who is seeking to become a three-division world champion, previously lost his unified lightweight titles in 2021.

Former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman expressed favor toward Lopez, suggesting that Lopez has the necessary skills to succeed at the higher weight class, though he noted that Romero's performance remains a variable. The event will be available via DAZN PPV, Ultimate Tier, and Prime Video.