Ryan Garcia barely showed up for his fight with Rolly Romero in Times Square.
Romero thoroughly outboxed Garcia for 12 rounds in Friday’s New York main event, knocking Garcia down in Round 2 and going on to win a convincing unanimous decision. While Garcia had his moments, especially when he was able to control the range with his jab, his output dwindled throughout the contest and Romero took advantage, picking “King Ryan” apart to score the biggest victory of his career.
It was a bizarre outing for Garcia, who fought for the first time since April 2024 when he went the distance with rival Devin Haney. Garcia missed weight for that contest, then went on to knock down Haney several times and win a majority decision, only to have that victory overturned to a no-contest after he failed a drug test. That infraction resulted in Garcia serving a one-year suspension from competition.
Fighters were just as confused as the rest of us, though many praised Romero for making the most of his opportunity.
Check out social media reactions to Romero vs. Garcia below.
Ryan Garcia, you were straight ass. Congrats Rolly
— ksi (@KSI) May 3, 2025
Dang Garcia needs some more juice
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) May 3, 2025
Fuck Romero set his ass down
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 3, 2025
Wake me up when ufc Iowa is starting
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) May 3, 2025
Told you https://t.co/NhSJgGipJ8
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 3, 2025
Congrats @SignUp4KOs !!!!!!!
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) May 3, 2025
Garcia wants to step into the fire and take more chances in the pocket to find a knock down, but Romero hits super hard-it’s so risky
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) May 3, 2025
I told @ShakurStevenson before the fight that Rolly was going to win.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) May 3, 2025
Judges got it right.
But let’s be honest: neither Garcia nor Haney looked deserving of the rematch tonight. https://t.co/QbrbqzRD77
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) May 3, 2025
Good main event for the #boxing judges. Right man won. I have never been a big Rolly fan but he was the best prepared fighter tonight, executed a plan, and had a career night boxing SMARTLY. Much respect to him and his corner. #GarciaRolly
— Lou DiBella (@loudibella) May 3, 2025
Crowd reaction to Ryan Garcia getting KNOCKED DOWN‼️
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/dS4wNAE8hW
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
Devin Haney cannot believe his eyes watching Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN NOW pic.twitter.com/p2PZMdECct
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
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