The personal history between Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Rolly Romero spilled into the open Thursday when Teofimo Lopez Sr. accused the WBA welterweight champion of pretending to be their friend before the two meet for Romero’s title on August 22.
The exchange erupted during the kickoff press conference after Lopez Sr. reflected on Romero encouraging him to move his son up to 147 pounds following Teofimo’s loss to Shakur Stevenson. He then shifted his attention directly to Romero.
“You was never our friend,” Teofimo Sr. said to Rolly. “Nobody knew who the [expletive] you was. And you came and started cloud chasing on my son.”
Lopez Sr. continued, claiming Romero stopped speaking to the family after joining Gervonta Davis’ camp.
“You never even talked to us again. That’s why I hit you in the chest the last time I seen you. You’re a fake.”
Rolly repeatedly tried to interrupt, telling Lopez Sr. to let him speak before eventually responding with a much calmer tone.
“Junior, you know I have so much love for you,” Rolly said before later adding, “Me and Teo ain’t friends. He’s my little brother.”
The verbal exchange highlighted the personal history between the two camps, which includes years of sparring sessions and a relationship that both sides now view very differently.
Despite the heated back-and-forth, both fighters acknowledged the rivalry would ultimately be settled in the ring. Teofimo Jr. said the time had come for them to face each other, while Rolly thanked Lopez and his father for accepting the fight after months of searching for an opponent.
The winner of the August 22 bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will leave with the WBA welterweight title, while Teofimo will also have the chance to become a three-division world champion.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/10 at 4:15 AM
