Teofimo Lopez Warns Rolly Romero Could Copy Shakur Stevenson

The former two-division champion says Romero has become a more patient fighter ahead of their August 22 WBA welterweight title fight in Las Vegas

Teofimo Lopez believes Rolando “Rolly” Romero has developed into a more patient fighter and could even use elements of Shakur Stevenson’s successful blueprint when they meet on August 22. Lopez says his defeat to Stevenson also taught him lessons he expects to carry into his welterweight debut.

“Anything is possible, anything is doable. If they execute their gameplan, then maybe, who knows? We’ll just see what happens that night,” said Teofimo Lopez to The Ring and other media when asked whether Romero could follow the blueprint Stevenson used against him.

Teofimo is moving up to welterweight after losing his Ring Magazine and WBO light welterweight titles to Shakur in January. What many expected to be a competitive fight instead turned into a one-sided boxing display, with Shakur controlling the action from the outside, outlanding Teofimo 165-72 in total punches and opening a cut over his left eyelid.

Despite that defeat, Lopez believes the experience prepared him for whatever Rolly brings in his welterweight debut.

“I am very grateful for the situation and what happened with Shakur,” Teofimo said. “Everything that I knew I should have just gone along with, and that is to trust my instincts. I should have moved to 147 a year ago, but we’re here now and haven’t missed a beat.”

Rolly (17-2, 13 KOs) earned the biggest victory of his career when he outboxed Ryan Garcia to win a unanimous decision in May 2025.  Rolly scored an early knockdown and controlled the pace for most of the fight. Teofimo sees that evolution.

“It’s not how you fall, it’s how you rise. My spirit is going to be too much for Romero to handle,” Teofimo said. “We’re facing the best Rolando Romero that they have to offer and display. Romero has become more patient than the slugger he used to be.”

The former unified lightweight and junior welterweight champion will make his 147-pound debut against Romero at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Rolly will defend his WBA welterweight title in a fight that headlines a pay-per-view event on DAZN and Prime Video. For Teofimo, the question is whether the lessons learned against Shakur will be enough to prevent Rolly from repeating the same formula.

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