Friends turn rivals as Rolly Romero defends WBA welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — Two of boxing’s most colorful personalities and former sparring partners collide Saturday night when WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero puts his title on the line against former two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez at T-Mobile Arena.
The bout, billed as “Put Up or Shut Up,” marks Romero’s first defense of the belt he claimed with an upset unanimous decision over Ryan Garcia in May 2025. Lopez, coming off a January loss to Shakur Stevenson that cost him his WBO super lightweight title, steps up to 147 pounds for the first time in pursuit of a championship in a third weight class.
Both fighters enter with identical knockout tallies of 13 and nearly matching physical dimensions—each standing about 5-foot-8 with orthodox stances. Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) brings power and an unpredictable style to his hometown arena, while Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) relies on speed, athleticism and sharp counterpunching. The pair have long shared a friendship outside the ring, but that bond is expected to take a back seat once the opening bell sounds.
The Premier Boxing Champions card features a solid supporting lineup on the pay-per-view portion.
In the co-feature, undefeated Cuban middleweight prospect Yoenli Hernandez (10-0, 9 KOs) faces Argentina’s Francisco Daniel Veron (17-1-1, 10 KOs) over 10 rounds. Hernandez has drawn attention for his aggressive style that breaks from traditional Cuban boxing approaches.
WBA interim super bantamweight champion Victor Santillan (16-2, 7 KOs) defends his title against Gary Antonio Russell (21-1, 13 KOs) in a 12-round bout. Santillan captured the interim belt earlier this year, while Russell returns after an extended absence.
Colombian prospect Carlos Utria (14-0, 11 KOs), winner of a recent WBC super lightweight Grand Prix, meets Israel Mercado (13-1-2, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight clash.
Preliminary bouts earlier in the evening include middleweight prospect Marco Romero against Kahlil Mitchell, along with other developing talents such as Aldo Blancas vs. Ricky Mamone and Joseph Brown vs. Alton Wiggins. The full undercard remains subject to final confirmation.
How to live stream the fight online
The event streams as a joint Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view on DAZN and Prime Video. Coverage of the main card begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with Romero and Lopez expected to make their ring walks around 11 p.m. ET. The FREE live stream Preliminary fights start earlier in the afternoon and will broadcast on YouTube.
In the United States, the PPV is priced at $79.99. DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers can access the card at no additional cost through their existing subscription. Viewers can purchase and stream via the DAZN app or website on smart TVs, phones, tablets, computers and connected devices, or through the Prime Video app and Amazon platforms (no Prime membership required for the PPV purchase).
International availability follows local DAZN offerings, with Ultimate Tier members often receiving PPV access included. Check the official DAZN or Prime Video platforms in your region for exact pricing and start times, as they may vary by country.
Doors open at T-Mobile Arena in the afternoon, giving fans in attendance a full night of action leading into the title fight. With two dynamic fighters and a mix of rising prospects on the bill, the card offers a full slate of welterweight and supporting division contests for boxing audiences tuning in from home or packing the Las Vegas arena.
