By Boxing Bob Newman
Teófimo Lopez as soon as once more bounced again from a loss to seize one other title in one other weight class with a large, but inexplicably majority determination over defending WBA champion Rolly Romero.
Whereas this was an train in affected person execution on the a part of each fighters, it was Lopez who fastidiously and tactically pressed the problem within the early going. Romero uncared for the jab within the early going, throwing lead rights and left hooks, typically lacking.
A verify left hook by Romero within the fourth caught Lopez and spun him sideways, drawing a response from the group. It was the fifth spherical the place the tide lastly turned. A pointy left by Romero opened a nasty minimize above Lopez’ proper eyebrow. A follow-up looping proper hand buckled Lopez badly and Romero wildly went for the end. Lopez was shoved to the canvas as he desperately tried to carry on, nevertheless it was accurately dominated no knockdown by referee Harvey Dock.
Romero unusually didn’t observe up on his success and Lopez ambitiously bounced again to take the sixth. Lopez did effectively within the seventh however took a left hook proper on the bell which left him barely wobbled. As soon as once more, Romero didn’t come out for the following spherical with goal. He merely appeared disengaged not solely through the rounds, however even throughout the remainder interval when legendary coach Ismael Salas was giving him directions. Romero selected to be on his bicycle all through a lot of the tenth.
A wild trade with seconds to go within the eleventh noticed each males affected by a tough shot from the opposite, bringing the group again to life. Inexplicably, Romero danced across the ring within the closing spherical as if he was defending an enormous lead slightly than attempting to desperately come from behind to win. He did throw the occasional haymaker, each lacking by a mile, however that was about it by way of a concerted effort to win. The choose’s closing tally noticed it as follows: 114-114, 115-113 and 116-112… a majority determination for the brand new WBA champion- Teófimo Lopez. Romero seemed shocked that he misplaced whereas the group appeared in disbelief that the scores have been that shut. Lopez improves to 23-2, 13 KOs whereas Romero falls to 17-3, 13 KOs.
