Rolly Romero is on cloud nine after defeating Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision at Times Square in New York City last Friday.
The 29-year-old dropped Garcia in the second round with a left hook, and he outboxed him to get the decision.
Thirteen of Romero’s 17 victories have come by knockout, but we saw a different Romero last Friday night. He showed off his boxing ability, which he discussed at a media roundtable on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
“You didn’t really see me have to box early on in my career because I was flatlining people in the first few rounds,” he said. “The jab to the body is the money punch to me. That punch will break down anyone little by little. I’ve dropped people with it.”
Romero(17-2, 13 KOs), who sparred Garcia in the past, says he knows him very well, which helped lead to the win.
“I know Ryan too well,” Romero said. “I knew exactly how he was gonna come and where he was gonna come. I think even he was surprised with how well I knew him.
“I neutralized his left hook. The second he threw one left hook, what happened? He got dropped and he never threw it again. The only reason he didn’t get knocked out is because he was fighting to survive.”
Garcia was expected to fight Devin Haney in a rematch of their 2024 clash, but Romero spoiled those plans, and if Garcia wants the rematch, he’s open to it,
“If Ryan wants to do a rematch we can do it,” he said. “I don’t know if he’s mentally ready for a rematch, and I know he has other obligations. I don’t know if people are too interested in seeing that other rematch, but if you have obligations, you should honor your obligations.”
Romero’s two losses were by stoppage. The former 140-pound champion lost to Gervonta Davis at 135 and Isaac Cruz at 140. According to Romero, he stayed at both weight classes too long.
“When I was fighting at 135, I really should have been at 140, and then when I was at 140, I really should have been at 147,” Romero said. “I was calling out Errol Spence Jr. and wanted to skip 140. I should have been at 147 for a very long time. I think it’s apparent. I mean, how do I move up in weight and get a lot faster and more explosive? You usually get slower when you move up in weight.”
After his win over Garcia, Romero believes he’s the face of boxing.
“Anything regarding me being the face of boxing I agree with,” he said.
When Romero lost to Davis and Cruz, the thought was that he was done and that it would be an easy night for Garcia. However, that was not the case. He’s back!
At this point, for Romero, it’s about legacy.
“I have two losses, and they both came from big fights,” Romero said. “Those losses haven’t derailed me from anything. They can’t slow me down. Every time you think I’m gone, I’m gonna come back again and again…These other guys are fighting for the money, but I fight for belts and for legacy.”
Photo: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom
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