Teofimo Lopez Claims WBA Welterweight Title With Decision Over Rolando Romero

Teofimo Lopez became a three-weight world champion on Saturday by defeating Rolando Romero via majority decision at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. BBC Sport reported that Lopez took Romero's WBA 'Super' welterweight title after previously holding championships at lightweight and light-welterweight. Lopez and Romero had also been long-time friends and sparring partners.

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Two judges scored the bout for Lopez, 116-112 and 115-113, while the third returned a 114-114 draw. The victory moved the 29-year-old American to 23 wins in 25 professional fights. Romero, who was making his first defence of the belt, fell to 17 wins and three defeats.

Lopez largely controlled the contest with his jab, according to BBC Sport, though the fight was not without danger. He sustained a significant cut above his right eye in the fifth round and was caught by a right hand before the bell. Romero did not build sustained pressure from that moment, allowing Lopez to regain control and complete the 12 rounds.

The result marked Lopez's return from the second defeat of his career. He lost the WBO light-welterweight championship to Shakur Stevenson at the end of January, then moved up for the fight with Romero. Despite adding another divisional title, Lopez remains without a stoppage victory since 2022.

Attention immediately shifted to the WBA title picture. Britain's Jack Catterall holds the organisation's 'Regular' belt and is positioned as the leading challenger, but Lopez did not commit to facing him next. The WBA could instead permit a unification contest, leaving the timing of a possible Catterall bout uncertain.

Lopez said his preferred options were IBF champion Liam Paro or the winner of the WBC title fight between champion Ryan Garcia and challenger Conor Benn, scheduled for September 12 at the same venue. He also indicated that WBO champion Devin Haney could be a later target. Romero disputed the scoring after the bout and called for a rematch, but no next fight has been formally confirmed.