Ryan Garcia Set to Prepare for Rolly Romero Fight

Photo - Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions

Boxing superstar welterweight Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KO’s) is back and set for his long-awaited grudge match against former super lightweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero (16-2, 13 KO’s) of Las Vegas. Garcia headlines against Romero in the Ring Magazine first-ever event in the United States, “FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves” taking place Friday May 2 in Times Square, New York.

“As far as Rolly goes he wasn’t my first choice that’s for sure. It was Pitbull Cruz but things play out in different ways,” Ryan Garcia said at the Los Angeles press conference. “Every fight is important. I can’t go in there without trying to do my best. I know I’m the better fighter, and I’m going to knock him out.” Garcia added.

“Let’s be honest how many of you are here to see Ryan Garcia fight,” Oscar De La Hoya said at the Los Angeles press conference Monday. “Ryan Garcia is back baby. May 2nd in Times Square,”

Returning to the ring for the first time in over a year, Garcia was suspended last year by the New York State Athletic Commission following his victory over Devin Haney last April after testing positive for performing enhancing banned substance ostarine.

In a fight that saw Garcia check Haney in sending him to the canvas three times in route to a majority decision win.

The thrill of victory was defeated by Garcia’s positive test as the win against Haney was overturned to a No-Contest. Furthermore, Garcia forfeited his $1.2 million purse and was also fined $10,000 by the New York State Athletic Commission.

It did not end there as Haney pursued legal action filing a lawsuit against Garcia. Accusing Garcia of battery, fraud and breach of contract in connection with the performance enhancement doping violation.

“You know I’m really focused on whopping Devin Haney’s ass once again, that’s all I’m really worried about. Not to redeem myself but to cement all that B.S,” Garcia said.

Haney would eventually drop the lawsuit early this year.

“Everyone wants to see the rematch and that’s where my heart is,” Garcia on his desire of a rematch with Haney.

In the wake of the suspension and chaos, not to mention the one-year of inactivity, Garcia split after two fights with renowned trainer Derrick James and temporarily reunited with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s longtime trainer Eddie Reynoso. However, due to Reynoso’s commitment to Alvarez fighting William Skull May 3rd in Riyadh and other logistical issues for Garcia, the reunion was halted.

During Monday’s press conference WBO & Ring Magazine super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez was taunting Garcia on not committing to Reynoso, "How can I take you talking the whole camp. So, I had to dip," Garcia responded.

Trainer Justin Fortune joins the team teaming up with Ryan’s father Henry Garcia in the return to the ring. Fortune has worked numerous camps in assisting Freddie Roach with Manny Pacquiao

Eager to return to the ring, Garcia faces a hard punching and very charismatic Rolando Romero as his only two defeats came at the hands of Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Rolly bounced back from his defeat to Cruz as he defeated Manuel Jaimes in his last fight this past September.

“He is going to come to fight. I’m not taking him lightly or anything like that,” Garcia on Romero.

Not a stranger to social media, Romero has had his rants and called out Garcia numerous times. Kicking off the press conference last week in New York, Garcia faced off with Romero for the first time and continued Monday in Los Angeles wrapping the press conference tour.

Garcia will now begin the opening phases of training camp in preparation for Rolly.

“I’m going to train and I just have to prepare well,” Garcia said. “I’ll put Rolly to sleep with a left hook. That's it. That’s what you're going to see. Period.”

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