LAS VEGAS, NV — Rolly Romero believes he did enough to defeat Teofimo Lopez and made it clear after the fight that he wants an immediate rematch.
Following the controversial decision, Romero repeatedly insisted that Lopez was unable to land clean punches while claiming he hurt the former two-division world champion multiple times throughout the fight.
“Look at my face. I don’t give a damn,” Romero said. “Two clean shots the whole fight. If that’s enough to beat the champion, that’s enough to beat the champion.”
Romero said he felt he controlled the action and capitalized when Lopez was hurt in the fifth round after opening a cut around Lopez’s eye.
“I was trying to open that cut even more than anything,” Romero said. “I was trying to feint him and land a left hand.”
While Lopez appeared to rally in the sixth round and landed to Romero’s body, Romero dismissed the notion that he was ever seriously hurt.
“He’s never hurt me at any given moment,” Romero said. “He got hurt multiple times throughout the fight. Every time I threw a shot, I landed. He couldn’t land anything clean on me, and it was clear and apparent.”
Romero also argued that Lopez should have been credited with a knockdown after one of the exchanges in which he believed Lopez was badly hurt.
“He was out, but I couldn’t get him clean,” Romero said. “The other shot I hit him with at the end of the round, though, he was out, out.”
When asked whether he regretted anything about his performance, Romero maintained that his approach was justified.
“Would somebody else do this as a master class when I do it? It’s self-explanatory, right?” Romero said.
Romero also questioned why he is criticized for boxing cautiously and moving when other fighters receive praise for using the same strategy.
“Why don’t I get the same? Why don’t I get to sing like everybody else?” Romero said. “Why is it because I’m a power puncher? Or why because I’m awkward? Because of this? It’s like I never get a fair shake, and it’s apparent.”
Despite the loss, Romero said he believes he clearly outboxed Lopez, whom he described as one of the best fighters in the sport.
“I clearly outboxed the dude that’s supposed to be the best, the one, the best-bodied Olympian and all this stuff,” Romero said. “I clearly outboxed him. I cut him. I hurt him multiple times. And it’s clear as day.”
Romero was also asked about the embrace he shared with Lopez before the 12th round.
“I love Teofimo,” Romero said. “I love him. That’s all. He’s my little brother. That doesn’t change anything. He has no control over the scoring of the judges.”
With the judges scoring the fight 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 in Lopez’s favor, Romero believes the result should lead to another opportunity.
“There was no rematch clause,” Romero said. “But, I mean, of course, I am owed a rematch. You don’t get a 114-114, 115-113, 115-113. I get a rematch.”
Romero ultimately said he felt the decision spoke for itself.
“I deserve a rematch,” Romero said. “Honestly, that decision was self-explanatory.”
