Shakur Stevenson reacts to Rolly Romero's 115-113 WBA title loss

Teofimo Lopez defeated Rolando “Rolly” Romero by majority decision to win the WBA welterweight title in Las Vegas. The judges scored the fight 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 in Lopez’s favour.

Shakur Stevenson, who beat Romero in January, praised both men after the result. He described Lopez’s achievement as significant because it came in the former unified lightweight champion’s first fight at 147 pounds.

Stevenson also showed respect for Romero, who lost the championship after defending it against Lopez. His message characterised the former champion as someone willing to face any opponent and offered him continued recognition despite the defeat.

Lopez controlled much of the contest with his jab, forward movement and higher work rate. Romero found his strongest spell in the fourth and fifth rounds, using his counter left hook to trouble Lopez before another left hand opened a cut above the challenger’s right eye and briefly hurt him.

Lopez recovered in the sixth round and resumed pressing behind his jab while attacking the body. Romero spent long periods waiting for counterpunching opportunities, while Lopez remained the more active boxer through the closing rounds and finished strongly enough to secure the decision.

The victory made Lopez a three-division world champion after earlier title reigns at lightweight and super-lightweight. His record improved to 23-2 with 13 knockouts, while Romero fell to 17-3 with 13 stoppages. Romero had entered the fight on the back of two wins, but could not retain his WBA crown against Lopez’s sustained activity.