While celebrity gossip tabloids try to drum up a story that involves romance between Karina Smirnoff and her partner, Karin's boyfriend Mario Lopez and the singer Mario each got on the phone during the Ryan Seacrest radio show today to shoot down this talk.

The singer, who's been steaming up the ballroom with Smirnoff while denying rumors anything more, had plenty of kind words for the former Saved By the Bell star.

"We kicked it a few times. Mario's a cool guy," he said. "We have similar interests. I like boxing and he likes boxing."

In return, the actor said he liked Mario and respects the singer's dance floor determination.

"The dances are all characters and telling a story," he told Seacrest while Mario was on the line. "I'm really proud of him. He's a great guy. Really respectful."

As for the odds of Smirnoff and Mario winning Dancing with the Stars this Season? Lopez is confident.

"They're going all the way," he said.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.