Rolando Romero Warns Teofimo Lopez To Avoid a War of Words
Despite having a February 8 fight date set to face Jamaine Ortiz, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (19-1, 13 KO’s) has been talking about a slew of other issues and people. One such topic is that of his former friend WBA 140-pound champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (15-1, 13 KO’s).
Lopez employed social media guerilla tactics when he recently released sparring footage of himself and Rolly. Naturally, the film captured The Takeover nailing Romero with a flurry of heavy shots. Having seen this seemingly unprovoked attack, Rolly made his best attempt at taking the high road.
Yet, as he displayed for Fight Hype, it wouldn’t be a Rolly Romero piece without a few side-cracks and counterpunches.
“October 27, 2016, I hadn’t even turned pro yet. I’m just going to say it like this, I don’t want to bash Teo or any of that stuff . . . Teo was a brother to me. Every question you ever ask yourself about Teofimo Lopez, I know the answer to. I know everything about the kid, I even saved the kid from killing himself a few times.”
“I dont know what he is doing right now, but it’s not Teofimo. It sounds like he is being desperate for something and it sounds like he is fucking broke right now. So, there’s that. I don’t have anything to say really about that situation, I know him too well. You don’t want to pick a battle with somebody who knows you too fucking well, who knows everything about you!”
A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE
It’s unfortunate that the two have a crumbling friendship without even having an upcoming fight. With that being said, if these two go head-to-head in a social media war, it is sure to be as explosive as their knuckles are in the ring. This is evidenced by Rolly making the comment about essentially saving The Takeover from suicide.
While this could be a complete fabrication, Teofimo Lope has said out his own mouth that he’s suffered from suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it’s also very plausible that Rolly is telling the unfiltered truth. Lopez has also publicly questioned his professional and personal relationship with his father and chief second, Teofimo Lopez Sr..
Lastly, The Takeover was caught on a hot mic questioning his own worth following his duel with Sandor Martin. Looking at these various episodes spread out in a tighter lens highlights that despite his immense physical talents, Lopez has shown mental stress fractures. This is said to say, now may not be the time that Lopez wants to start a smear campaign with someone who can air out so much dirty laundry.
The time for prudence may be gone, so we’ll just have to see if Romero really does chill out. Or, will Rolly dive deep in his trolling bag and try to mentally disrupt his former friend in the home stretch of his training camp? Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing to find out!
