As first reported by The Ring, Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) is negotiating a welterweight matchup against Romero, the division's WBA beltholder.

Nothing has been finalized just yet, but the two sides are inching closer as August 22 in Las Vegas is being targeted. If things continue to go smoothly, Lopez Sr. knows exactly how things will play out.

“My son is gonna box the shit out of Rolly,” he told The Ring. “My son is a pure boxer. Rolly has some power but he won’t be able to touch my son. Just watch.”

The former two-division champion looks like a smooth and complete fighter, but in his last appearance he laid an egg. The 28-year-old was dominated in late January at New York’s Madison Square Garden against Shakur Stevenson via wide unanimous decision. He also lost his Ring and WBO junior welterweight titles.

Instead of attempting to regain his championship status at 140 pounds, Lopez is moving up in weight. Waiting for him will be Romero.

Romero, 30, has been sidelined since scoring an upset win over Ryan Garcia last year. He was hoping to face Devin Haney in a unification bout, but talks fell apart.

Lopez becoming a three-division champion more than enough motivation to face Romero (17-2, 13 KOs). His father can't wait.

“I never tell my son to go for the knockout,” he said. “Every time he knocked someone out, it came naturally. So it’s the same thing for this fight. I’m not gonna tell him to go for the knockout. Just go out there and outbox him. My son can make it look easy.”