Who is Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero? Meet Ryan Garcia’s long-time rival and next opponent

Ryan Garcia will make his long-awaited return to the ring to finally face Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero after years of on-again, off-again fight negotiations.

They will fight at Times Square this Friday, May 2, for the WBA welterweight world championship. Make no mistake, this is no straightforward comeback for Garcia. ‘Kingry’ has had a turbulent year – battling with his mental health and a suspension from the New York Athletic Commission.

This fight represents an opportunity to get back on track in a fight against a familiar foe. 

• PPV Bundle: Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero & Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull fight nights together for $90; £34.99; €39.99

Who is 'Rolly' Romero?

‘Rolly’ Romero brings knockout power and an unpredictable style—threats Garcia knows all too well, having previously shared the ring in a viral leaked sparring session in 2018.

But who is Romero and what experience does he bring into the fight? And why is he a threat to Garcia?

'Rolly' Romero's boxing record 

Romero has fought eighteen professional bouts across 84 rounds, curating sixteen wins, thirteen by knockout, and only two defeats at world title level to Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis.

• Nationality: American   
• Born: October 14, 1995
• Height: 5'8"   
• Reach: 68"   
• Total Fights: 18 
• Record: 16-2 (13 KOs)

DAZN

Who has Roland Romero fought?

The Las Vegas native was a late comer to boxing, only entering a gym for the first time at 17, inspired by watching the 2012 Olympic Games and with boxing in his blood. 

His father, Rolando Sr, was an amateur champion in Cuba who fled the country when he was 30 and now plays a key role in his son’s training camps, acting as an assistant coach. 

With a limited amateur background of only 35 amateur fights, Romero knew he had to make noise to get noticed and when he entered the Mayweather Boxing Club.

His hard sparring style eventually caught the attention of Floyd Mayweather Jr, who signed the youngster in 2016. 

Ismael Salas is currently in charge of Romero’s development after a split from Coach Bullet, aka Cromwell Gordon, at the beginning of 2024.

 

The Cuban coach has watched over world class fighters including Guillermo Rigondeaux, Felix Savon, and Jorge Linares. 

‘Rolly’ made the perfect debut, knocking out David Courtney in the first round.

He would not taste defeat in his first fourteen fights, winning twelve of them by knockout, climbing the lightweight rankings and becoming the WBA interim champion. 

His challenge for the WBA lightweight title was short lived when he came up against the pound-for-pound star, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who knocked him out in the sixth round. 

Geoffrey Knott

The American claimed the WBA (regular) super lightweight championship in 2023, controversially knocking out the experienced Ismael Barroso.

He shortly forfeited his title to ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in his first defence nearly a year later, getting knocked out in the eighth round.

After outpointing Manuel Jaimes last September, Romero has been sat on the sidelines waiting for his next big fight.

Garcia is arguably the biggest fight of Romero’s career so far, and the latter will be looking to make a big statement as the underdog on the world stage.

Watch two incredible fight nights this week only on DAZN

Fight fans are in for a treat this week, with two amazing fight exclusively DAZN PPV.

• May 2:  Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero; Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez; Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr.
• May 3:  Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull

Fight fans can purchase either these fight nights individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; $24.99 ROW per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle where both fight cards can be purchased for $90 US; £34.99 UK and €34.99 Europe.