Ryan Garcia loses shockingly to Rolando Romero after doping ban
- Ryan Garcia faced Rolando Romero in his first boxing match since returning from a year-long doping ban.
- The match ended controversially with Romero winning by unanimous decision despite Garcia's comeback attempts.
- The defeat may affect Garcia's future match plans, particularly a potential rematch with Devin Haney.
On May 4, 2025, in Times Square, New York, Ryan Garcia faced Rolando Romero in what marked his return to the boxing ring after serving a one-year suspension due to a doping ban. The fight, a part of the first boxing event held in Times Square, ended in a shock loss for Garcia as he was defeated on points by Romero with judges scoring the bout 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109 in favor of Romero. The match saw a notable moment in the second round when Romero's double left hook dropped Garcia, who managed to regain his feet but struggled throughout the fight. Garcia expressed after the match that the long layoff affected him mentally and that he felt off during the bout. The event, hosted by Saudi-backed Ring Magazine, witnessed approximately 300 invited guests, including boxing legends Mike Tyson and Roberto Durán, and was viewed by fans outside on large screens. This unexpected loss leaves Garcia's professional record at 24 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest, complicating his plans for a potential rematch with Devin Haney. Following Garcia's defeat, Romero now stands at a record of 17 wins and 2 losses, potentially setting him up for more significant fights in the future. Meanwhile, Garcia remains in the spotlight as he tries to regroup after this major setback in his boxing career. Outside the boxing world, news also emerged of Jannik Sinner's return from a three-month doping ban in Rome during the Italian Open, highlighting ongoing discussions about doping in sports.