Rolly Romero vs Teofimo Lopez expert fight predictions

Rolly Romero vs Teofimo Lopez predictions - Who wins welterweight world championship showdown on Saturday?

Rolly Romero defends his WBA World welterweight title to challenger Teofimo Lopez this Saturday night, August 22, live on DAZN and Prime Video from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Nevada native, Rolly, won the belt against Ryan Garcia in May 2025 and now finally defends it for the first time to two-weight world ruler, Teo, who comes off a loss to Shakur Stevenson in January.

Despite the defeat, the Brooklyn boxer is favourite at the bookies to dethrone the Las Vegas titleholder in his home city. It's a close contest to call, so GBN collected a catalogue of fight predictions from industry experts.

Teddy Atlas, Trainer and Hall of Fame broadcaster

“I’m going with Teofimo. I’m going to go with his talent. I think that, at the end of the day, he is more talented [than Romero] and more instinctual, I don’t know if that showed too much in the Shakur Stevenson fight, but that style and that talent of Stevenson is pretty different and very difficult.”

Ryan Garcia, WBC World welterweight champion

“Probably Teofimo. I feel like Teofimo has his number.

“I think the sparring is going to play a part in it and I feel like Rollies, they’re both going to have a sense of hesitation because of the sparring.

“But I think because when Teofimo really, really believes in himself, he didn’t seem like he was confident in Shakur [Stevenson] at all in the lead up.

“But I think this fight he knows what to do with Rollies.”

Tim Bradley, Two-weight world champion

“What [version of] Rolly gonna show up? Do we need the more calculated Rolly – the one that fought Ryan Garcia… a very awkward boxing style?

“Or, do we need the Rolly that’s gonna bring it to Teo? Teofimo Lopez ain’t got no power. 140lbs – he ain’t knocked nobody out.

“He going to [147lbs], jumping up 7lbs. Rolly is thumping – he can punch. He’s been at [147lbs] for some time now. It’s a different feeling when you get hit with them bricks, and Rolly got that freaky strength.”

Stephen Breadman Edwards, World champion trainer

“I'm picking Rolly because, Teo, I don't think has the physicality at 147lbs. At 135lbs he was monster, at 140lbs he had that great win over Josh Taylor, but he hasn't really hurt anybody at 140 and now he's going to 147. Sometimes guys just reach their ceiling as moving up in weight.

“I think that Rolly found something in that Ryan Garcia fight, to fight a disciplined fight like that for 12-rounds against a talent like Ryan Garcia was impressive to me. He's boxed a lot of talented guys in the gym and, believe it or not, he's got the better of a lot of talented guys in the gym.

“There's something about the timing of this fight and the way that Rolly looked against Garcia, I just like Rolly.”

Abel Sanchez, World champion trainer

“I like Rolly in this one, Teo would be favoured at 140; at welter, I think it benefits Rolly, I think Teo’s personal chaos will have an effect on his performance. Great fight for as long as it goes.”

Tyler Buxton, United Boxing Promotions

“The biggest question for me is how Teofimo handles Rolly’s power at 147. If Lopez can take Rolly's best shots without getting badly hurt, I think his speed, footwork, and overall boxing ability should start separating him.

“I could see Lopez winning by UD.”

Wayne Alexander, Former British, European, World welterweight champion

“Teofimo Lopez should win this one on points with his skillset and experience against Romero, who beat a Garcia who was not in his best place, mentally.”

Carla Jade, MisFits lightweight champion

“I’m going with Teofimo Lopez to win by decision. I think his speed, movement and boxing ability could give Rolly problems, especially if he can control the distance and avoid getting drawn into a firefight.

“That said, I definitely wouldn’t write Rolly off. He’s proven he can upset the odds, and his power at welterweight is a serious factor. He also has the confidence coming off the Ryan Garcia win, so Teofimo will need to be switched on for all 12 rounds.

“For me, Teofimo’s technical ability and experience at the highest level give him the edge, but I think it will be a competitive fight and Rolly will have his moments.”

Joel De La Hoya, Boxing manager

“Rolly has power and awkwardness/unpredictability. Teo may be the more polished/skilled fighter but he is going up in weight to meet a naturally bigger/stronger guy. Teo needs to be practically perfect for 12 rounds, Rolly just needs that one punch that can change the fight/momentum around.

“Can Teo tame the lion, or will the lion maul the tamer?!?! We shall see…”

Tony Tolj, Dragon Fire Boxing

"I'm split on this one, I believe Teo is the favourite but you can't write off Rolly. Both great guys and always have been kind and helpful to us.

"Rolly's only losses were to Tank Davis and Pitbull, no shame in those losses.

"Teo's only losses were to Shakur and George.

"Teo is hot and cold, so you don't know if your getting Jekyl or Hyde.

"I'm gonna go the upset here and say Rolly Romero gets the nod in a highly entertaining fight."

Ekow Essuman, Former British & Commonwealth welterweight champion

"I believe Teo is a credible threat, even when moving up, he has beaten/faced some greats of the old guard i.e. Taylor and Lomenchenko.

"However I believe Rolly had been in there with newer breakout fighters and is a credible problem in his own right now.

"I lean more towards a Rolly upset."

Mikey Garcia, Four-weight world champion

“I think Rolly has a much better chance than people think. I’ve seen a lot of people say Teofimo, but they think Teofimo back at 135, the Teofimo of the early 140s. Lately, Teofimo hasn’t really shown me that earlier Teofimo when he fought Lomachenko, when he fought Josh Taylor. Maybe his dedication, maybe there are other things around that have distracted him. Maybe his hunger is not there as much as it was before.

“The earlier version of Teofimo would have received Garcia’s backing, but he no longer expects that fighter to turn up.”

David Papot, IBF International welterweight champion

“I don't really know the two boxers, but from the little I've seen, I'm expecting a win for Romero. I think Lopez won't have the advantage at welterweight.

“No matter the outcome, boxing against the winner would really interest me for the WBA title.”

Arijan Goricki, IBO title contender

"My prediction is Teofimo by controversial decision. I think that Rolly will be aggressor in the fight and out up a pace. I just don't think that Teofimo is mentally good or has a good corner around him. But he is a bigger draw, so judges will probably lean on him."

Leigh Copson, Expert Picks

"Teofimo Lopez is coming off the back of a loss, but there is no shame in losing to a fighter like Shakur Stevenson.

"He remains one of the premier fighters in the welterweight division, and we expect him to produce a smart, calculated fight to leave with the WBA title belt."

Ricky Carroll, Big Fight Weekend

"Romero has that fight-altering power in his locker. He has proven that throughout his professional career, including knocking Garcia down last time out. His style is difficult to read as he operates at such an unusual tempo, which often makes him a difficult opponent to face. He also controls the distance well in his fights and will need to do this against Teofimo.

"Lopez, at his best, is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. He was simply outclassed last time out, but the instructions from his corner and the in-fight tactics were baffling throughout, making it harder for him to have any success against Shakur.

"Teofimo has exceptional hand speed, which allows him to put together eye-catching combinations. He’s very good at closing the distance, something which Rolly will need to negate. Lopez is a great counter-puncher and will look to catch Romero in between him throwing punches.

"At his very best, even up in weight, it’s difficult to look past Teofimo Lopez, and we are backing the challenger to win by unanimous decision and become a three-division world champion."

Keith Sullivan, Sullivan Management

"What a fight, I am really looking forward to this one! 

"Rolly is awkward, explosive and strong. He doesn't fight with textbook rhythm, making him difficult to time. I expect him to come out confident and try to make Teo respect him early. Teo's advantages are speed, counterpunching, and boxing IQ.

"I anticipate the heavier weight will not be an issue for Teo. If he doesn't get reckless, Teofimo Lopez can become a 3-division champion, but Rolly is going to make him earn every minute of it during that fight.  Prediction: Teo decision 8 rounds to 4."

Jonathan Nagioff, Pro Boxing Fans

"Lopez’s last six outings have gone the distance and the 29-year-old, who heads in off a comprehensive points loss to Shakur Stevenson in January, is expected to win by decision at 4/5."

Ethan O'Connor, YouTube boxing reporter

"The pair also know each other quite well, but that’s obviously getting put aside for this bout.

"I think it’s a big fight for Romero to return to after being inactive for over a year which may have an impact. 

"I think Lopez edges a decision but it’s hard to write off Rolly."

Ace Adam, Unbeaten light-heavyweight

"It’s a really interesting fight this weekend, and I think Rolly Romero has a very good chance of causing another upset.

"Rolly looked extremely focused and disciplined in his last performance against Ryan Garcia. Nobody really expected him to win that fight, but he showed that he can adapt and perform when the pressure is on.

"I think Teofimo is rightly the favourite, especially with his experience and ability, but moving up in weight is never straightforward. Rolly has the size, power and confidence to make this a very difficult fight for him.

"I also think Rolly has learned a lot from his loss to Tank Davis. That experience can be very valuable if he has taken the lessons from it and adapted his game moving forward.

"At the end of the day, boxing is a business as well as a sport. Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are both big stars and big names, so there is a lot at stake. But that’s what makes these fights exciting anything can happen.

"If I had to pick, I’m going with Rolly to win, probably by a close decision or late stoppage. I think his focus, confidence and momentum could make the difference."

Burim Sylejmani, FIDES Sports Promotion

"I believe Teofimo Lopez will win the fight because, in my opinion, he is simply the better and more complete boxer. After his loss to Shakur Stevenson in his last fight, he is now under pressure and has to prove that he still belongs among the very best in the world.

"I expect a highly motivated Teofimo Lopez who will do everything he can to come back with a strong performance and prove that he is still a top-level boxer."

Donald C Stewart, GBN columnist

"I reckon Teo gets the decision but it might be messy, it might be controversial, it will probably not be boring."

Daniel Sheehan, GBN reporter

"My prediction is Teofimo Lopez to win.

"I believe it ultimately comes down to the skill set. We saw what happened when Lopez tried to outbox Shakur Stevenson and compete with him at his own game, which is something very few fighters, if any, are going to be able to do successfully.

"Rolly Romero presents a completely different challenge. I believe his style is more susceptible to the things Lopez does well, particularly his ability to vary his approach and take advantage of openings.

"That said, Rolly can never be ruled out. We saw that against Ryan Garcia, where he produced a huge upset and showed that he has the ability to cause problems for anyone on his day.

"However, I think Lopez will ultimately have too much for him in terms of overall skill. He'll also be highly motivated to bounce back from his defeat to Shakur Stevenson and put himself back into a strong position at the top level. I’m picking Teofimo Lopez to get the win."

Marshall Kauffman, Kings Boxing

"I believe that Teo will win this fight by a late round stoppage over Rolly.

"I think that Teo has too much boxing ability and will outbox Rolly and even frustrate into making mistakes which would allow him to score a late stoppage."

Max Timson, GBN reporter

"I think Lopez will beat Romero by unanimous decision.

"I believe that Lopez will use his hand and foot speed to fight intelligently from the outside, as Romero is likely to hold the power advantage up at welterweight. I think that both men being familiar and friendly with each other will also lead to some uneventful rounds and ultimately a Lopez decision."

Alexander McGibbon, GBN reporter

"Teofimo Lopez, on paper, comfortably wins against 'Rolly'. However, will Lopez's power and speed carry well into the 147lbs division? I'm not too sure they will. I can still see Lopez still winning the majority of the rounds though, and win the fight on points. He should also have a better gas tank than Romero, so if Romero wants the victory, he should throw the kitchen sink within the first half of the bout. Lopez by UD."

Betting Odds

5/2 Romero

2/5 Lopez

18/1 Draw

8/11 Lopez by decision or technical decision

9/2 Romero by decision or technical decision

9/2 Lopez by KO TKO or Disqualification

8/1 Romero by KO TKO or Disqualification

Results

32% Romero

68% Lopez