The friends will make ends meet and later break bread together, but one will certainly go back to the drawing board with a broken spirit and in an unfavorable position.

The drama unfolds on Saturday when Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) defends his WBA welterweight title against Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to headline a DAZN and Prime Video PPV event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

"There were so many other fights I was trying to give to the fans, but Teofimo was the actual one who was not scared," Romero told The Ring. "He'll fight anybody. Same thing with me – I'll fight anybody.

"Did I pick Teofimo? No. The last thing I wanted to do is go fight my friend. He's my little brother. The enemy is my little brother and someone who I love very dearly. He was the last one on my list."

Indeed he was.

After beating Ryan Garcia last year, Romero had failed negotiations for a rematch with his most recent rival. Fights against Manny Pacquiao, Devin Haney and Conor Benn didn't materialize either, and Romero had no motive to face mandatory challengers, first in Shakhram Giyasov and then Jack Catterall.

So Romero's circuitous route eventually led him to Lopez.

"God doesn't make mistakes. The delay was meant to be. I needed the delay, I needed the time off," Romero said. "I had to be reborn again in Christ, and I did. I had to die to myself, which I did die to myself when I was reborn in Christ.

"I was keeping busy by training out of boredom. I mean, what else am I gonna do? Just be at home, do nothing, play video games and eat potato chips? There's only so many vacations I could go on, and the money gets boring."

Romero credits Lopez for stabilizing his financial future with a $5,000 loan in 2019 before he eventually made big money fighting Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz, albeit in losing efforts while getting stopped. Romero also recalls the sparring sessions with precision – four times in total for 26 rounds, with the last time being on October 27, 2017.

"He had his moments. I had my moments. Sparring is sparring. A fight is a fight," Romero said. "You fight in the gym all the time, but I've never experienced fighting a close friend like this.

"I don't fight for money. I fight for legacy. Beating Teofimo puts me in the Hall of Fame. I believe Teofimo is already in the Hall of Fame."

So how is the 30-year-old from Las Vegas going to compartmentalize the fight to swing fists on a friend with mean intentions?

"A fight is a fight, and I like big fights," Romero said. "I'm a hometown hero. It's time to represent my city, and it happens to be against Lopez, who was the only one left."