Lopez dethrones Romero to become the new WBA welterweight champion

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Teofimo Lopez outpointed Rolando “Rolly” Romero to become the new World Boxing Association welterweight champion at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 22, 2026.

With the majority decision victory, Lopez officially became a three-division world champion and returned to the mountaintop of the sweet science.

Highlighted by a mix of tactical discipline and punching volume, Lopez’s higher work rate propelled him to the win as he capitalized on Romero’s low output in the championship rounds.

Lopez kicked off the title fight with a jab clinic, tagging Romero several times with a series of double-left setups that put him ahead in the jab count midway through the fight.

However, Romero flipped the switch and immediately jumped into the driver’s seat after nearly knocking Lopez down in the fifth round with a vicious right hand.

Bloodied and bruised, Lopez was sent wobbling by Romero’s flush right hand and spent the remaining minute of the fifth round gasping for air while absorbing big punches.

Just when Romero thought he could rely on his single power shot, Lopez turned the tables midway through the sixth round by increasing his punching volume with a series of jab-uppercut combinations.

Unfortunately, Romero slowed down and failed to take advantage of Lopez’s stunned state in the fifth round.

Aside from unleashing his jab-uppercut punching pattern, Lopez also found several openings every time Romero backpedaled to reset.

Instead of waiting for Romero to re-establish his balance, Lopez pounced on him and did not let up offensively.

Lopez simply let his hands go, backing his work rate with efficient punches, particularly his jabs and signature right uppercuts.

Romero attempted to replicate his fifth-round prowess in the final round, but Lopez capped his bounce-back win with a clinical two-way display, defending with caution while unleashing timely counters to protect his lead.

After the thrilling 12-round affair, two judges scored the bout in favor of Lopez, 115-113 and 116-112, while the other scored it a draw, 114-all, resulting in a majority decision.

“Thank you, Heavenly Father, for bringing me here much closer,” Lopez said after the win.

“I’m a winner and I’m a true example of what winning is. It ain’t about losing, it’s about never giving up.”