- Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero will face off in a welterweight match on May 2.
- The match will take place at Times Square in New York.
- Garcia is the heavy favorite with -830, and Romero is the +550 underdog.
After one year of suspension, former WBC interim world lightweight champion Ryan Garcia is back inside the ring, taking on former WBA lightweight world champion Rolando Romero on May 2 in a welterweight bout at Times Square in New York.
Despite missing action for over a year, Garcia remains the considerable betting favorite heading into the match with -830 boxing odds. Meanwhile, with two losses in his last five fights, Romero is the overwhelming betting underdog with +550 odds at the BetMGM sportsbook.
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero Odds
- Ryan Garcia: -830
- Rolando Romero: +550
- Tie: +2000
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero: Prediction
Garcia’s incredible one-punch knockout and longer reach will be the difference-maker in this upcoming showdown with Romero. I predict he will get the TKO/KO finish in the first six rounds of the match.
Although Romero can knock anyone out with his power, and claimed that he pieced up Garcia in their sparring sessions, I still think Garcia will get the job done in this impending showdown.
Garcia heads into the fight with a chip on his shoulder. He is coming off that suspension from the NYSAC and is eager to remind everyone of his knockout power. Furthermore, “King Ry” wants to book that rematch with Devin Haney later this year once he gets the job done against Romero.
Romero’s best chance of beating Garcia is to target and attack his body, which is one of Garcia’s weaknesses, after Gervonta Davis exploited this in their fight. On the other hand, Garcia should double down on hunting Romero’s head and prove that he doesn’t have a granite chin.
Ryan Garcia’s Recent Fight Results
Garcia was a former amateur standout who competed in the USA National Youth Championships multiple times before he turned professional in June 2016. Since his pro debut, he has won his first 23 bouts and captured several minor boxing titles.
His first career loss came in April 2023, when Davis knocked him out in the seventh round of their megafight. In his last two matches, Garcia defeated Oscar Duarte Jurado, and his win over Devin Haney was overturned due to a failed drug test.
Rolando Romero’s Recent Fight Results
Romero made his first pro fight in December 2016 and defeated his first 14 opponents before Davis handed him a loss in May 2022 with a sixth-round TKO finish. But that setback has set Romero to fight Ismael Barroso in May 2023 for the WBA lightweight title.
“Rolly” maximized the opportunity and stopped Barroso in the ninth round via TKO to capture his first championship. However, he yielded the belt to Isaac Cruz in March with an eighth-round TKO loss. Romero won his previous match against Manuel Jaimes last September with a unanimous decision nod from the judges.
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero: Tale of the Tape
| Ryan Garcia | Rolando Romero | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 26 | 29 |
| Height | 5’10” | 5’8” |
| Record | 24-1 | 16-2 |
| Reach | 70 inches | 68 inches |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| TKO/KO Percentage | 83% | 81% |
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero: Start Time
May 2, 6 p.m. E.T.
May 2, 5 p.m. C.T.
May 2, 4 p.m. M.T.
May 2, 3 p.m. P.T.
