What next for Ryan Garcia?

Rolando Romero proved a major stumbling block in Ryan Garcia's future prospects at Times Square, New York, inflicting a second career defeat upon the Californian.

Garcia returned to the ring for the first time since 20th April 2024 on 2nd May 2025, featuring on the same card as previous opponent Devin Haney.

While both Garcia and Haney had respective fights on the night, talk of a rematch was inescapable throughout both fighters’ camps, especially in fight week.

From bold predictions to fiery media exchanges, it felt as if Garcia and Haney were headlining the event, so much that both fighters seemingly let the noise get to them.

While Garcia succumbed to a second career defeat against Romero, Haney too failed to impress, despite registering a unanimous decision victory against Jose Ramirez.

Following Garcia’s defeat, many immediately ruled out a rematch against Haney, but our resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt has had his say on what the future could hold for him.

“The bout showed Garcia in a completely different light to his performance against Devin Haney last April. However, now eyes will be fixed on what happens next for Ryan Garcia.

He is still a huge name and while he lost to Rolando Romero, there is no reason to believe he will not proceed as planned and have a rematch with Devin Haney at some point this year.

“Haney, who also looked poor on the undercard against Jose Ramirez, has already spoken about his intention to continue with the contractually obligated bout.

“For Ryan Garcia, off the back of such a terrible performance against Romero, you would expect him to take the most lucrative option on the table, which will surely be the Haney rematch.

“However, it does throw up a lot of questions about Ryan Garcia. How good was he? How good is he?

“If indeed he doesn’t have the hunger for boxing anymore, then perhaps he will do one of the many other things that he is capable of doing in order to generate money.

“Maybe boxing is no longer for Ryan Garcia.”

It’s yet to be seen as to whether Garcia will get his rematch with Haney, or if he still wants it after an underwhelming return to the ring.

Ellis Statham

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