Rolly Romero defends his WBA welterweight title against longtime friend Teofimo Lopez on August 22, in a matchup Romero insists materialized out of affection rather than animosity. The bout highlights an August boxing calendar that also features Chantelle Cameron against Mikaela Mayer and a vacant heavyweight title clash.
August brings a packed schedule of high-stakes bouts to the boxing calendar, anchored by an intriguing title defense between two fighters whose personal history runs deep. While many championship pairings are forged through bitter trash talk and promotional rivalry, the upcoming clash for the WBA 147-pound belt carries a distinctly different origin story.
Rolly Romero on Granting Teofimo Lopez a Title Shot Out of Love
Rolly Romero is defending his belt against Teofimo Lopez on August 22 in a matchup between longtime friends who have drifted apart over the years according to reporting from Bad Left Hook via Yardbarker. Although Lopez downplayed their personal connection after the fight was announced, Romero told Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger that he foresaw the opportunity years ago.
“I told him in the back room when we were getting ready for a fight — I said ‘you’re going to get another opportunity, Teo. You’re going to move up to ’47, you’re going to get another opportunity,’ And by grace, for some reason I was the one that was able to give him that opportunity. It was out of love.”
Rolly Romero, WBA welterweight champion
The two fighters have not maintained close contact in recent years. Romero acknowledged that adult life and Lopez’s family obligations mean they rarely speak, comparing the situation to other friendships that endure despite limited communication. When asked about stepping into the ring against someone he cares about, Romero offered a pragmatic view of combat sports reported via Yardbarker.
“People hurt each other that they love and they care for everyday, People you don’t love can’t hurt you.”
Rolly Romero, WBA welterweight champion
Lopez moved up to the welterweight division after losing his unified lightweight titles to George Kambosos in 2021. Romero captured the WBA belt by stopping Ismael Barroso last year and has successfully defended it twice. The August 22 date has not yet been paired with an official venue announcement according to Yardbarker.
Chantelle Cameron and Mikaela Mayer Collide in Birmingham
Women’s boxing delivers another pound-for-pound clash on August 29 when Chantelle Cameron and Mikaela Mayer meet in a 10-round battle for the WBA, WBC, and WBO super welterweight titles as detailed by Yahoo Sports. Cameron secured the WBO 154-pound strap in April with a decision over Michaela Kotaskova after her pursuit of a Katie Taylor trilogy stalled. Mayer, who already holds the WBC and WBA versions, turned down an opportunity to chase undisputed status at welterweight against Lauren Price in order to face Cameron instead.
Both athletes rank inside Uncrowned’s pound-for-pound top 10 and share a reputation for taking on the toughest available opposition. Mayer has stated she won’t let it get close
following contentious decisions on UK soil in the past, while Cameron fights in front of her home supporters in Birmingham.
Moses Itauma Fights Filip Hrgovic for the Vacant IBF Heavyweight Title
In the heavyweight division, 21-year-old standout Moses Itauma steps up for a major test against Filip Hrgovic on August 29 according to Yahoo Sports. Itauma brings a 14-0 record with 12 knockouts into the ring, having most recently stopped Jermaine Franklin Jr. in five rounds in March to secure his tenth knockout. Promoters secured Hrgovic after facing a short queue of heavyweights willing to face the young phenom.
Hrgovic holds a 20-1 record with 15 knockouts, his sole loss coming in a bloody battle against Daniel Dubois in 2024. The Croatian has since rebounded with victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, and Dave Allen. Promoter Frank Warren called the pairing a guaranteed thriller,
with the stakes elevated further now that the bout is officially for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title.
Rematches and Undisputed Bantamweight Stakes in Leeds and Orlando
August’s schedule also features a high-profile super middleweight rematch on August 8, as Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson return to the First Direct Arena in Leeds reported by Yahoo Sports. In their December meeting, Williamson floored Simpson four times in the 10th round to capture the British, Commonwealth, and European belts. Simpson activated his rematch clause, setting up a fixture that also marks the first show of BOXXER’s new partnership with DAZN following years of Sky Sports exclusivity.
In Orlando, Dina Thorslund and Cherneka Johnson meet on August 8 in a 10-round undisputed bantamweight championship clash noted by Yahoo Sports. Thorslund relinquished her belts last year due to a pregnancy announcement before suffering a miscarriage, while Johnson stepped into the vacancy to become Australia’s first undisputed champion. Thorslund returns aiming to reclaim the titles, telling reporters, That experience has given me an even stronger hunger to come back and reclaim everything that was once mine,
as reported by Yahoo Sports.
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