Rolly Romero beat Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision on May 2, 2025, in Times Square, New York, with scores of 115-112, 115-112 and 118-109, after knocking Garcia down in the second round. It won Romero the vacant WBA welterweight title, the regular version of the belt, and there has been no rematch.
The result
- Winner: Rolly Romero, unanimous decision over 12 rounds
- Scores: 115-112, 115-112, 118-109
- Date and place: Friday, May 2, 2025, Times Square, New York
- Title: the vacant WBA welterweight title, regular version
- Knockdown: Garcia was down in the second round
- Records after the fight: Romero 17-2, Garcia 24-2 with one no contest
It was one of three fights on the outdoor card. Devin Haney beat Jose Ramirez on a decision, and Teofimo Lopez also won. ESPN’s report called the whole night short on action, and Romero’s win the upset of it.
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Where both went next
Romero was made full WBA champion in August 2025, when Jaron “Boots” Ennis gave up the title to move up to 154 pounds. His first defense was against Teofimo Lopez on August 22, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and Lopez took the title from him by majority decision. The WBA has since ordered Lopez to defend it against Jack Catterall.
Garcia won his next two fights. He beat Mario Barrios by unanimous decision on February 21, 2026, and stopped Conor Benn at 1:25 of the second round on September 12, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena to keep the WBC welterweight title. That made him 26-2 with 21 knockouts. After the Benn fight he said he wants Lopez next.
A Garcia-Romero rematch, and betting the next fight
No rematch is scheduled and no price is posted. As of September 25, 2026, we have no market for either fighter’s next bout that we can source and date.
ESPN called Romero’s win a massive upset, and Garcia lost on all three cards, one of them by nine points. When a line goes up, read it as a chance: -400 implies 80% and +300 implies 25%. A bet is worth making only when you rate the chance higher than the price does.
Lopez’s January 2026 loss to Shakur Stevenson is on our Lopez vs. Stevenson page. The boxing blog covers the next cards, and the boxing betting guide explains moneylines, method of victory and round betting. For paid fight picks, compare the best handicappers, and read our sportsbook reviews before you open an account.