Does Rolly Romero Need To Defeat Ryan Garcia In Order To Stay Relevant?

In the main event of a stacked fight card, former WBA junior-welterweight world champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero will face Ryan “King Ry” Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) on Friday night May 2, at The Ring’s Fatal Fury in Times Square, New York, live on DAZN PPV.

Rolly Romero is an outspoken former world champion who is a polarizing figure in the sport of boxing. Romero’s popularity is due to his aggressive style of fighting and his controversial persona.

For the past couple of years, Rolly Romero’s persona has been overshadowing his talent. Romero made a significant accomplishment inside the ring, but unfortunately, it was attached to controversy.

Right now, Rolly Romero is a name that has a certain level of value, but the way boxing fans operate, that value could take a plunge at any given moment. With that in mind, the question is, does Romero need to defeat Ryan Garcia in order to remain relevant?

Back in August 2020, Rolly Romero was awarded a controversial unanimous decision victory over Jackson Marinez. Romero would go on to collect two consecutive seventh-round TKO victories over Avery Sparrow and Anthony Yigit.

The rising star Rolly Romero would be thrust into the spotlight when he was scheduled to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis. During the promotion for the fight, Romero entertained the fans with his humorous sound bites.

On fight night, Rolly Romero was the aggressor during the course of the first five rounds, but he only managed to land a limited number of significant shots. With 38 seconds left to go in the sixth, Davis stopped Romero when he connected with a hard counter left hand.

A year later, in May 2023, Rolly Romero stepped inside the ring to battle the then 40-year-old Ismael Barroso for the vacant WBA junior-welterweight world title. After getting dropped by Barroso in the 3rd, Romero went into the 9th down on all three judges’ scorecards.

Romero scored a controversial knockdown in the 9th with a punch that looked more like a push. Later in the same round, Romero cornered Barroso and threw a flurry of shots, but nothing landed. Referee Tony Weeks proceeded to step in and put a premature halt to the contest.

In his first defense of the WBA world title, Rolly Romero was stopped by Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in the eighth round. Romero would bounce back by posting a unanimous decision victory over Manuel Jaimes.

Now the 29-year-old Rolly Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) is in another marquee matchup, but this time he may need a win in order to keep his name at the top of the food chain. Romero’s resume is highlighted by two controversial wins and two knockout losses.

Romero’s May 2nd opponent, Ryan Garcia, is a 9-1 favorite due to the fact that he’s the more polished fighter. However, you can’t count Romero out because he has a strong punch, which equates to the proverbial puncher’s chance.

Romero has a history as it relates to getting hurt by his opponent’s left hand. Tank Davis stopped Romero with a left-hand counter, and Ismael Barroso dropped Romero in the third round when he landed a left-hand shot.

During a sparring session, J’Hon Ingram floored Romero with a left-hand counter, and Pitbull Cruz wobbled Romero in the first round with the same punch. On May 2, Romero must stay disciplined and avoid Ryan Garcia’s lethal left hook.

Win or lose, Rolly Romero’s name will probably be enough for him to secure another lucrative bout. However, he’s approaching the territory where, in addition to talking the talk, he has to also walk the walk and produce a legitimate signature win.