Lopez claims WBA welterweight crown in majority decision over Romero
Teofimo Lopez has secured his third world title by defeating Rolly Romero at T-Mobile Arena, a result that has set the stage for a complex path forward in the division.
Teofimo Lopez has captured the WBA welterweight title, adding a third division to his world championship resume after a majority decision victory over Rolly Romero at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout, which marked Lopez’s debut at the weight, concluded with two judges scoring the fight 115-113 and 116-112 in his favour, while a third official recorded a 114-114 draw.
The result represents a significant institutional shift for the WBA, as Lopez now enters a division where the mandatory challenger is Jack Catterall. This creates an immediate governance question regarding the next steps for the title, particularly as Lopez looks to consolidate his position against other major champions in the weight class.
For Lopez, the victory serves as a corrective to his January loss to Shakur Stevenson for the WBO super lightweight title. Compubox statistics indicated that Lopez landed 124 of 530 punches, outperforming Romero, who landed 73 of 352. The data suggests a clear edge in output, though the split decision has already prompted debate regarding the scoring of the contest.
Romero, who won the WBA title in an upset decision over Ryan Garcia in May 2025, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. He described the 114-114 score as a "robbery" and claimed he was never in serious trouble, citing only two punches that "barely grazed" him. This was Romero’s first defeat since an eighth-round loss to Isaac Cruz in March 2024.
The fight featured moments of high intensity, including a counter left hook from Romero in the fourth round and a right hand in the fifth that visibly hurt Lopez. However, Lopez recovered to deliver strong performances in the sixth and seventh rounds, a testament to his resilience following his earlier setback.
Looking ahead, Lopez faces a crowded field of potential opponents. The WBO champion Devin Haney, the IBF champion Liam Paro, and the winner of the upcoming WBC clash between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn are all viable options. The WBA’s next move will be crucial in determining whether Lopez can unify the division or if the title will remain fragmented among multiple champions.
