Rolly Romero slams Ryan Garcia ahead of Lopez title fight

WBA welterweight champion Rolando "Rolly" Romero is preparing for a high-stakes title defense against former two-division champion Teofimo Lopez on Saturday, August 22, in Las Vegas, but he is also taking aim at a familiar rival, Ryan Garcia. Romero dismissed Garcia's recent callouts as a "clout-chasing" distraction from his immediate challenge.

Romero will defend his title against Lopez in the main event of a pay-per-view card at T-Mobile Arena. The fight marks Lopez's move up to the welterweight division. In the lead-up, Romero has maintained an unusually cordial relationship with Lopez, stating there is no manufactured hostility between them and that the fight is purely about legacy and providing for their families.

Amid his preparations, Romero used a media appearance on August 7 to sharply criticize Ryan Garcia, the current WBC welterweight champion. Garcia has recently expressed interest in facing the winner of the Romero-Lopez bout as part of a unification matchup. Romero rejected the notion, claiming Garcia had twice avoided a rematch with him.

"He ducked me after our direct rematch clause, and he ducked me after he fought Barrios," Romero said. "You're going to tell me...