Ryan Garcia-Rolly Romero: Stats and Stakes
Intriguing tripleheader opens a long boxing weekend
It might be the least competitive fight on the card.
On a weekend where Saul Alvarez, Naoya Inoue, Teofimo Lopez, and Devin Haney will on be in action, it might be the worst of all the major fights this weekend.
It doesn’t mean fans won’t be tuning in for Friday’s main event from a unique venue in Times Square (DAZN, 5 PM EST). It’s part of what appears to be the best of three notable cards from Friday to Saturday with two excellent support bouts beneath the headliner.
One year after blowing the biggest win of his career with a failed PED test, Ryan Garcia returns at welterweight to put the first Devin Haney fight behind him and set the stage for a rematch later this year.
After the debacle that was his 2024, it could really only have gotten better.
Garcia’s failed test came after blowing weight for the Haney fight by almost four pounds and was followed by despicable racist outbursts that likely could only have been tolerated in boxing among big-time professional sports.
To give an idea of how unserious boxing can be, Garcia served a one-year suspension and will fight for the WBA’s secondary ‘world’ title (Jaron Ennis has the primary WBA belt) in a division where neither he nor his opponent have ever won a notable fight.
Rolly Romero, two fights removed from a brutal beating at lightweight versus Issac Cruz, could easily have been on a three-fight losing streak following that affair. Gervonta Davis knocked him silly and Ismael Barroso was ahead on all three judges cards before a highly questionable stoppage saved Romero.
On paper it appears Romero got the assignment for Garcia for two reasons: he brings some personality and he appears to have almost no hope of winning.
We’ve seen a different Garcia on the road to this fight and, at 26, he certainly has room to grow as a fighter and a man. Can he generate a performance to really get his momentum going again?
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Ryan Garcia
Age: 26
Title/Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’10
Weight: 146 ¾ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Los Angeles, California
Record: 24-1, 20 KO, 1 KOBY, 1 No Contest
Rankings: Unranked
Record in Major Title Fights: N/A
Last Five Opponents: 154-5-2 (.963)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Luke Campbell TKO7; Emanuel Tagoe UD12; Javier Fortuna KO6; Gervonta Davis KO by 7; Devin Haney NC12
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
Vs.
Rolando Romero
Age: 29
Title: None
Previous Titles: WBA Super Lightweight (2023-24)*
Height: 5’8
Weight: 146 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Las Vegas, Nevada
Record: 16-2, 13 KO, 2 KOBY
Press Rankings: Unranked
Record in Major Title Fights: 1-1, 1 KO, 1 KOBY (2-0, 1 KO including interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 115-7-5 (.925)
Notable Outcomes, Ring/TBRB Rated Foes: Gervonta Davis TKO by 6; Issac Cruz TKO by 8
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
*Also held WBA interim title at lightweight
The Pick: Both fighters have defensive flaws, have been stopped by Tank Davis, and carry some pop. Those similarities really aren’t that similar. The gap in experience, talent, and overall skill is wide here. Garcia comes with a deep amateur background, better athleticism, and a left hook equalizer delivered with uncommon speed.
Romero might have a puncher’s chance but it’s slim and it makes him the perfect rehabilitation assignment. He’s going to have to open up to have a chance and it’s likely to get him knocked out. Romero’s biggest problem is he’s just not very good.
The pick is Garcia, probably in four rounds or less. The fights that precede this main event are where fans will get their money’s worth.
Cliff’s Notes…
Devin Haney, like Garcia, has been gone from the ring for a year and will test the water at welterweight. He won’t be doing it against a career welterweight, but it should be a tough opponent. Jose Ramirez, a former unified titlist at junior welterweight, is coming off a loss to Arnold Barboza, but he’s no pushover. This is a tough fight to pick. How much damage did the Garcia fight do to Haney? Does Ramirez have the physicality to force Haney into a brawl? The speed and all around ability of Haney should be enough for a decision win but this could have moments of drama and Ramirez is live…The fight of the night may be what otherwise could have been the main event. Teofimo Lopez is a two-division lineal champion, defending history’s junior welterweight crown for the third time since a career saving win over Josh Taylor for the crown. Arnold Barboza is a serious, undefeated top ten contender coming off two excellent wins over Ramirez and Jack Catterall (and a controversial decision versus Sean McComb that might give some pause). Lopez is quicker and more athletic but he sometimes can seem confused about who he is in the ring and enters off a long layoff. Barboza is taller, longer, and will never have a bigger opportunity. This one has a whiff of upset to it and that’s where this corner lands. The pick is Barboza to leave with Lopez’s WBO belt and the lineal throne.
Rold Picks 2025: 11-9