“Me and Ryan would fight at welterweight down the line. It will be one of the biggest fight in boxing history, if not the biggest.” This is what Rolando Romero had boldly predicted in a conversation with ‘The Schmo’ more than two years ago. However, since the prediction, Romero has suffered two defeats—one against Gervonta Davis and the other against Isaac Cruz whereas Ryan Garcia is preparing to make his return after serving a year-long suspension. But at least we are getting the fight, right?

Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero will face each other in May in NYC for the WBA Regular welterweight title, according to The Ring Magazine. On the same card, Devin Haney will also make his comeback against Jose Ramirez. Both Garcia and Haney are treating their May bouts like a tune-up before their eventual rematch later in the year. However, Rolly Romero who has been eyeing a clash against Garcia for almost a decade now, has other ideas than to entertain a tune-up.

Rolly Romero’s advice: No point in beating a dead horse

While appearing in the latest episode of The Schmo Interviews, the Las Vegas native revealed his excitement for the upcoming fight. Despite everything he said about Garcia in the past, he still respects him. According to Romero, Garcia, “did something good for the sport of boxing. He beat the s**t out of Devin and that was good for the sport of boxing,” referring to the infamous match between them in April 2024. Romero looked back at the fight claiming, “Devin not a puncher there,” and commands “no fear” from Garcia.

Therefore, according to the former WBA junior welterweight champion, there is seemingly no point in them fighting each other. He further referred to their amateur fight history and how the Victorville native always dominated Devin Haney one way or another. “He fought what six times. He knows Devin got nothing, no pop, no nothing. So there is just no respect right there,” declared Rolly Romero bluntly.

While the 29-year-old thinks that there is no need for Ryan Garcia to entertain Devin Haney for a rematch, KingRy’s action states otherwise.

Ryan Garcia pulls a 180 in a surprising move

Not too long ago, in an interview with Radio Raheem on the sidelines of the Ring Awards, the 26-year-old made his stance over VADA pretty clear. The controversy started when Devin Haney enrolled himself into a year-round random drug testing through the VADA and demanded Garcia do the same to make him eligible for their rematch. However, the Victorville native rejected the demand, citing his own predicaments with the program. “I’ll be using the people I want to use. Because for some reason Bill Haney keeps on saying VADA, VADA, VADA, VADA, VADA. It’s kind of strange to me, you know. Why can’t I use USADA or any other organization? Seems a little fishy to me,” stated Garcia.

However, in a shocking move, The Ring confirmed that Ryan Garcia has in fact enrolled himself in random drug testing through VADA for the Rolly Romero fight in May. The move was quite surprising, considering his reservations about the program.

Nevertheless, this move by Garcia further showed his desperation to prove himself as a clean fighter. This means that he is eyeing that Devin Haney rematch regardless of Romero’s perspective. With Garcia’s decision, now all four welterweights scheduled to fight in May have enrolled with VADA.

However, he will only be able to participate in the May event after getting a clean slate from NYSAC. For which he has to provide clean testing samples during the suspension period for his ban to be lifted at the one-year mark. This dual testing enrollment with VADA should help his case.

Only time will tell whether Ryan Garcia’s enrollment will prove to be beneficial in his quest to secure that rematch with Devin Haney. However, at this point, the only thing both the fighters should be focused on is the May event. A loss here would completely shut down any idea of the potential rematch in October.

Do you think Ryan Garcia should refuse a rematch with Devin Haney, as Rolly suggested? Let us know your thoughts down below.