WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero and former two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez went face-to-face during a tense final press conference on Thursday to preview their world title clash that headlines a pay-per-view event available on DAZN and Prime Video this Saturday, August 22nd from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. During Thursday’s press conference the two longtime friends promised to leave that friendship aside when the fight begins, and had a heated exchange about the details of their shared history. The tensions nearly boiled over between the fighter’s respective teams as well, with insults being thrown across the stage between Romero’s trainer Ismael Salas and Lopez’s father and trainer Teofimo Sr. The press conference also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard, including unbeaten middleweight Yoenli Hernandez and Argentina's Francisco Daniel Veron, who meet in the ten-round co-feature, plus interim WBA super bantamweight titlist Victor Santillan and Gary Antonio Russell, who duel in a twelve-round attraction, and junior welterweighgts Carlos Utria and Israel Mercado, who opens the pay-per-view card with a ten-round matchup at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Here is what the press conference participants had to say Thursday:

 

ROLLY ROMERO

 

“I know he didn’t want to take this fight, but I’m thankful he took it. It’s gonna be a great show on Saturday night. Don’t miss it.

 

“I tried to fight everybody else, all the top guys. I wanted a big fight and this is the only guy who stepped up.

 

“You ever punch someone you loved in the face? If they give me a hundred million dollars I’ll punch my dad in the face right now. The friendship doesn’t matter to me at all when the bell rings.

 

“They talk about the four kings? They’re four queens and I’m a black knight. I’m gonna show everyone on Saturday night.

 

“I won the whole fight against Ryan Garcia and I was winning the whole fight against ‘Tank’ Davis too and he hit me with one shot. I wasn’t even supposed to be at that weight anymore. Now I’m at my natural weight and everyone sees what I can do.”

 

TEOFIMO LOPEZ

 

“This guy is not in my league. He never was in my league and he never will be.

 

“Rolly and I go way back. We’ve known each other since the amateurs. We’ve shared a lot of rounds in the ring, and now we’re here 10 years later. He’s the best fighter at 147 and the hardest puncher. I’m the type of guy who goes after those challenges.

 

“I’m determined, I’m ready and I’m focused on this fight. I know what it takes. He’s a heavy-handed fighter and he’s smart. He’s gotten better throughout the years. Any punch could end this fight, literally.

 

“Saturday night friendship goes out the window. This is about the dream of being the best in the sport. We’re here to put on a show.

 

“All the times we sparred, I took it light on you. We’re not gonna do that anymore. I’m gonna put you down. It’s time.

 

“Right now I’m just focused on climbing the ladder. I’m laser focused. I’m just staying on course and ready to do what I need to do. We’re gonna let our hands do most of the talking.”

 

YOENLI HERNANDEZ

 

“I’m not here to prove anything. I don’t need to. I came here to win on August 22.

 

“I showed in my last fight that no matter who you put in front of me, I’m gonna stream roll them. It doesn’t matter to me.

 

“I don’t need to showcase anything. I need to get this win and keep moving toward those world title fights.

 

“I’m not aiming for any specific fighter. All I want are the belts. Whoever has the belts is who I want to face.”

 

FRANCISCO DANIEL VERON

 

“I want everyone to know that I’m here to represent Argentina. We have a great legacy to uphold and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.

 

“I’m coming into this fight better than I’ve ever been. My preparation has been incredible and I’m gonna show everyone on Saturday.

 

“His power remains to be seen. We’re gonna see inside the ring. We’re going to try to out box him and see what the fight brings. We’ll be ready to adjust on the fly.”

 

VICTOR SANTILLAN

 

“I’m here to prove that Dominican boxing is at its best right now. We’re not gonna stop until we get to the top.

 

He’s a predictable fighter. If I rely on my preparation and stick to my game plan, I’m gonna come out with my hand raised.

 

“He really shows his cards whenever you’re on top of him. He doesn’t really know what to do. That’s what I see.”

 

GARY ANTONIO RUSSELL

 

“Come Saturday I’m looking to come out victorious and in spectacular fashion. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I’m ready to give everyone a great show.

 

“I’m real anxious to get this belt. I’m ready to get back in the ring and stay active. It’s all been leading up to this.

 

“Victor is a good tough opponent. He stays disciplined behind his jab. I see very easily how he can be exposed. We’re just gonna capitalize on our game plan.”

 

CARLOS UTRIA

 

“I’m here and ready to represent Colombia. My country has been going through a rough time, but I’m here to show that Colombians are resilient. I’m going to show that resiliency on Saturday night.

 

“I prepared extremely well. This is the perfect opponent to face on such a big card. We’re gonna see what he brings to the ring. I’ll be ready for everything."

 

ISRAEL MERCADO

 

“This is gonna be a great fight on Saturday. I’m very thankful for this opportunity. This is an undefeated opponent, but I’m here to make a statement. I’m gonna expose him on Saturday.

 

“Every time I face an undefeated fighter, I prevail and come through. This time around, I’m gonna make sure it doesn’t go to the judges hands.

 

“He’s an explosive fighter, but he’s inexperienced. I believe I’m gonna capitalize on that.”

 

ISMAEL SALAS, Rolly’s Trainer

 

“It’s such a pleasure to be here. I’ve always admired Teofimo and his family, but the time has come and it’s time to fight.

 

“I actually think this fight is going to be like a chess match. Let’s see who can place the pieces in the right position and come out with the win. May the best man win.”

 

TEOFIMO LOPEZ SR., Lopez’s Father and Trainer

 

“This fight sells itself. We have two great fighters at 147 pounds. I’m just here to guide my son like always. He’s gonna be a three-time world champion come Saturday. I have no doubt about that.

 

“You have to tune into this one if you can’t see it live. Rolly comes to fight, but my son is too technical, too smart and too strong for Rolly.”

 

TOM BROWN, President TGB Promotions

 

“It’s been a real fun promotion, but now it’s time to put up or shut up. We’ve got two great personalities in Rolly and Teofimo and two guys who are always willing to put it on the line. These guys are both built for this stage.

 

“You’re gonna want to be in your seats early on Saturday night. There are a number of rising stars who are looking to break out on this undercard.”

 

 

BRITTON HARDIN, Head of Boxing, North America, DAZN

 

“I have a feeling about this one. We have two very dynamic fighters up here on this stage. Teofimo Lopez is powerful, twitchy, strong, fast, and Rolly is a brutal knockout puncher. I don’t think either one of these guys are gonna let friendship get in the way of legacy.

 

“When you think about friends who fight in this sport, you either get a classic or a sparring match. But these guys’ sparring matches are classics. I’m really excited to see how this unfolds on Saturday night.

 

“These guys are both talking about legacy. They’re talking about being in the Hall of Fame. They’re talking about undisputed at 147 pounds. They want to join that legacy of great welterweight champions.”