Rolando “Rolly” Romero is hell-bent on touchdown a rematch after the WBA welterweight world champion misplaced a majority determination — and his title — to Teofimo Lopez on Saturday on the T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
One choose, Glenn Feldman, controversially scored the bout a draw at 114-114, however judges Tim Cheatham and Max DeLuca overruled him with scores of 116-112 and 115-113 for Lopez.
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“I acquired hit with two punches the entire combat that hardly grazed me,” Romero mentioned instantly after the defeat. “I used to be by no means in any hassle. Once I heard 114-114, I knew it was a theft.”
The 30-year-old’s greatest spherical of the combat was the fifth, as he damage Lopez and opened a major lower on his face. Romero (17-3, 13 KOs), although, struggled to capitalize on that success, and as a substitute surrendered momentum to Lopez (23-2, 13 KOs), who out-landed him in all however one of many subsequent rounds, in keeping with Compubox knowledge.
By the top of the combat, Lopez had restricted Romero’s output to only 73 punches linked from the 352 thrown (20.7% correct), in comparison with his personal tally of 124 pictures landed from 530 (23.4%).
“Have a look at my face,” Romero mentioned, post-fight, nonetheless enraged on the end result. “I used to be hit with, what? Two clear pictures the entire combat? If that is sufficient to beat the champion, it is sufficient to beat the champion.”
Rolly Romero (left) misplaced a tepid bout in opposition to Teofimo Lopez on Saturday to drop his WBA title.
(Cris Esqueda through Getty Photos)
Lopez disagreed with Romero’s interpretation of the combat.
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On why Romero’s output was low, Lopez mentioned: “I used to be hitting him again, plain and easy. There have been pictures I used to be connecting [with], ready for the trade. He is aware of that. I am very fast, quick with my pictures and really selective. I used to be tagging that physique — have a look at his ribs. If Rolly does not wish to interact, let’s hit his arms and abdomen [through] the rounds. That is what slowed him down, and the way we gained the combat tonight.”
Romero, although, insisted he’s “owed a rematch” and that the judging of the combat was “all political.”
Although loath to elaborate, he did later bemoan how boxers who stick and transfer get praised but feels he’s criticized for doing the identical. “Once I do it, why do not I get the identical as everybody else? As a result of I am an influence puncher? Awkward? I by no means get a good shake.
“I clearly outboxed the dude who is meant to be the most effective. An Olympian. I lower him. Damage him a number of instances. I deserve a rematch.”
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A rematch between Romero and Lopez is just not contractually mandated, per their bout settlement. And so Lopez must conform to any do-over.
That, although, is unlikely to occur subsequent, as Lopez as a substitute regarded forward to greater issues. He’s now one combat into his current DAZN deal and desires his remaining three fights with the broadcaster to proceed a story for him strolling the street towards an undisputed champion’s standing.
Lopez has practically been an undisputed champion earlier than, having gained all however one of many main light-weight world titles when he bested Vasiliy Lomachenko by determination in 2020. Again then, he gained the belts in a single combat. Now, although, the panorama at 147 kilos is extra fractured. Other than himself because the WBA king, there are three different welterweight champions — WBC king Ryan Garcia, WBO champ Devin Haney and IBF titleholder Liam Paro.
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Lopez desires to select them off one after the other, relatively than combat Romero once more.
“I’ve acquired three fights with DAZN and so they’re all on the street to be undisputed. We wish each world title. No protection, nothing. Maintain profitable. I do not wish to take the simple route,” he mentioned.
“I am right here to reclaim and get all of the world titles. Whoever the subsequent champion is, that is what it is all about.”