RYAN Garcia is gearing up to face the hard-hitting Rolando “Rolly” Romero on May 2 in Times Square, New York.
The unique venue sets the stage for a high-profile Ring Magazine card, headlined by Garcia-Romero and bolstered by Teofimo Lopez’s WBO super-lightweight title defence against Arnold Barboza Jr., alongside Devin Haney’s comeback fight against Jose Carlos Ramirez.
While Romero poses a significant threat, Garcia’s focus occasionally shifts to a potential rematch with Devin Haney. The two first clashed in April 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where tensions ran high. The build-up was contentious, marked by verbal sparring and occasional physical altercations. Garcia secured a majority decision victory, but the New York State Athletic Commission later ruled it a No Contest after Garcia tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, resulting in a 12-month suspension.
Garcia’s behaviour during the lead-up raised concerns about his mental health, with erratic social media posts drawing attention.
In a recent Ring Champs interview with Ak & Barak, the 26-year-old reflected on his personal struggles. “I was doing everything — gambling, drinking, women; whatever I wanted to do. [My family] wanted me to get help and they tried as best as they can but when you are in that state, you aren’t listening.
“When you have everything, you want at your disposal, it’s not for everybody. I have an addictive personality so, when I got going, I got going and just took it to a whole other place.”
At a media workout in San Diego, Garcia discussed his renewed mindset for the Romero fight, having reunited with trainer Derrick James.
“I am in a different mental space, every fight has its challenges, every camp has its own challenges. I just felt like playing mind games with them, they like to play mind games with you. Bill Haney liked to talk about a lot of crazy things to throw you off, but I was going to out-crazy the crazy. I took it a little too far, but I did win.”
A victory over Romero could earn Garcia the WBA’s Regular welterweight title, and if Haney defeats Ramirez, a rematch later this year seems likely.
“I want the Devin Haney rematch 100 percent,” Garcia said. “I need it and I’m going to do it for USADA this time.”
“I want the Devin Haney rematch so bad. I really want it. There’s some personal bad blood there but it’s not going to overrule me but it’s got some extra oomph in there, you know, when you’re fighting and put it on him even more. Then you got Bill’s [Haney] crazy antics, and he’s constantly talking nonstop, and that makes me want to put a whooping in a little bit more. This is an opportunity to do it again, and I think after that, I’ll put a stamp on that and move forward.”
