In a stunning upset that rippled through the boxing world, Ryan Garcia faced a shocking defeat at the hands of Rolando Romero on May 3, 2025, in New York's Times Square. The fight, which was highly anticipated and marked Garcia's return from a year-long doping ban, ended in a unanimous decision favoring the underdog Romero, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the future of Garcia's career.
Garcia, who entered the ring as the favorite, was dropped by Romero in the second round, a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum of the fight. Despite his efforts to recover, Garcia struggled to regain control, ultimately losing to Romero, who executed a disciplined performance throughout the twelve rounds. The bout was part of the WBA (Regular) welterweight title fight, and Romero's victory was celebrated as a career-best achievement.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was ringside to witness the action and later commented on Garcia's performance, stating, "I don’t think it was meant to happen that way. I can’t believe it. He just took the heart out of Ryan. Once he dropped him, Ryan didn’t fight back at all … I didn’t expect that." Tyson's pre-fight prediction that all fights would be close proved to be accurate, as he expressed his surprise at Garcia's inability to respond effectively after the knockdown.
In the aftermath of the fight, Garcia displayed humility, acknowledging Romero's skill. "He fought a good fight. He caught me early. No excuses, man. Congrats to him. He did a great job, and that's it," Garcia stated. He also reflected on the challenges he faced during his year-long suspension, noting, "I just think that whole year took a lot off my body, physically and mentally. I’m just happy that I made it to the ring and went 12 rounds." Garcia's admission of needing to find his killer instinct again has raised questions about his future in the sport.
Adding to the drama, Garcia's loss complicates the potential rematch with Devin Haney, which many fans were eager to see. Haney, who fought on the undercard and secured a victory over Jose Ramirez, had been waiting for a chance to face Garcia again following their previous encounter, which ended in controversy when Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, resulting in a no contest. Now, with Garcia's loss, the interest in that rematch may have diminished.
Meanwhile, the boxing community is buzzing with the developments surrounding Canelo Alvarez, who is also navigating a complex landscape of potential opponents. After defeating Mike Tyson, YouTuber Jake Paul expressed his desire to fight Alvarez, claiming he had an agreement in place. However, Alvarez quickly dismissed the notion, stating, "I only fight real fighters. I’m not interested in fighting a YouTuber like Paul." This response has only heightened the rivalry between the two, with Paul accusing Alvarez of avoiding him.
Alvarez, who recently signed a lucrative four-fight contract with Turki Alalshikh worth $400 million, is set to face William Scull on May 3, 2025, in a bid to reclaim the undisputed title at 168 pounds. The fight is expected to earn Alvarez approximately $80 million, while Scull will receive $3 million. Following this bout, Alvarez is also anticipated to face Terence Crawford in September, marking a historic first meeting between two undisputed champions from different divisions.
In the lead-up to his fight with Scull, Alvarez declined a $150 million offer from Paul, choosing instead to focus on his established career and high-profile matchups. "Hello guys, don’t pay attention to anything that this damn YouTuber says. I only fight real fighters... nothing to do with Canelo! Let’s go!" Alvarez declared, further solidifying his stance on the matter.
Jake Paul, feeling the pressure to secure a significant fight, will now face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28, 2025, at the Honda Center in Anaheim. This matchup is seen as a last opportunity for Chavez Jr. to make a mark in his career, while Paul continues to seek legitimacy in the boxing world. Paul generated around $40 million from his fight against Tyson, but even with Netflix's backing, his financial prospects for a fight against Alvarez seem limited compared to Canelo's earnings.
The boxing landscape is ripe with intrigue as fighters like Garcia, Alvarez, and Paul navigate their respective paths. Garcia's unexpected defeat has left fans wondering about his next steps, while Alvarez's lucrative contract and upcoming fights position him as a dominant force in the sport. As the summer approaches, the boxing world will be watching closely to see how these narratives unfold and what exciting matchups might emerge from this chaotic yet thrilling era of boxing.
