Both men have titles and legacies at stake. But Teofimo Lopez cannot afford another loss. Rolly can survive a defeat. Teo cannot.
Rolly Romero is the champion at the end of the day but no one thought or expected him to defeat Ryan Garcia in the first place last year to get a title in the first place.
All the pressure is off Rolly, it is all on Lopez as Lopez got pummeled by Shakur Stevenson in his last bout earlier this year.
Some notes on this;
- Second straight loss ends Lopez’s welterweight title ambitions
- His father’s undisputed dreams die with a defeat
- Lopez loses all bargaining power for Haney or Garcia fights
- At 29, another loss removes him from the elite conversation
- Romero already beat Garcia—his marketability survives a loss
- Romero is the naturally bigger man at 147 pounds
- Lopez looks small and faded at welterweight
- Analysts say grueling fights aged Lopez more than Romero
- Romero’s power is proven at the weight; Lopez’s is not
- Lopez has more to lose because his name still carries more value
At the end of the day Lopez has it all to lose.
All the pressure is on the shoulders of Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night in Vegas and he understands this.
If he fights using emotion Rolly Romero should use this to his advantage in his game plans in all stages of the fight.
Roll on Teofimo Lopez vs Rolly Romero.
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