Ryan Garcia suffers shock defeat to Rolando Romero on return from doping ban

CNN - May 3rd, 2025

Ryan Garcia faced a surprising defeat against Rolando “Rolly” Romero in Times Square on Friday night, marking his return after a one-year doping suspension. Despite an early knockdown from Romero's double left hook in the second round, Garcia managed to continue but ultimately lost via unanimous decision, with scores of 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109. Garcia, who appeared rusty and out of sync, attributed his performance to mental challenges following the layoff. The event, hosted by Saudi-backed Ring Magazine, was a unique spectacle with Garcia arriving in a Batmobile and featuring celebrity impersonators instead of traditional ring girls. It was a historic occasion as the first boxing event held in Times Square, attended by notable figures like Mike Tyson and Roberto Durán, with fans watching from big screens outside.

Garcia's loss, which leaves him with a record of 24-2 and one no-contest, may impact plans for a rematch with Devin Haney, especially after Haney's victory over José Ramírez earlier that night. This defeat follows Garcia's suspension due to testing positive for ostarine, which he has denied using. Meanwhile, Romero's victory, improving his record to 17-2, positions him for potential high-profile matches, potentially replacing Garcia in a future bout against Haney. The fight itself was notable for its lack of quality, with only 490 combined punches thrown, the third-fewest recorded by CompuBox in a 12-round fight since 1985, highlighting the challenges Garcia faced in his return to the ring.

Ring Magazine Mike Tyson Boxing Times Square Ryan Garcia Rolando Romero Doping Ban Roberto Durán Devin Haney

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and engaging account of Ryan Garcia's defeat to Rolando Romero, capturing the attention of boxing fans with its focus on a high-profile event. It accurately reports the fight's outcome and includes interesting details about the event's unique setting. However, the piece could benefit from more balanced coverage by incorporating perspectives from both fighters and ensuring greater transparency in source attribution. While the story touches on controversial topics like doping, it does not explore these issues in depth, limiting its broader impact. Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, but it could enhance its credibility and engagement by providing more comprehensive context and diverse viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports the outcome of the fight, noting Garcia's defeat by unanimous decision and the specific scores, which align with available sources. It correctly mentions the unusual aspects of the event, such as its location in Times Square and the presence of celebrity impersonators. However, the article should verify the exact number of attendees and the presence of high-profile guests like Mike Tyson and Roberto Durán, as these details are crucial for contextual accuracy. Additionally, while the article mentions Garcia's past doping allegations and suspension, it should ensure these claims are supported by credible sources to maintain factual integrity.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Garcia's defeat and his comments post-fight, which could suggest a slight bias towards his perspective. While it does mention Romero's victory and potential future implications for him, the narrative leans more towards Garcia's experience and challenges. A more balanced piece might include additional perspectives from Romero or his team, providing insights into his strategy and reaction to the victory. This would present a more comprehensive view of the event from both fighters' standpoints.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative of the fight and its significance. It uses straightforward language and organizes information logically, making it accessible to readers unfamiliar with boxing. However, some details, such as the significance of the punch statistics and the broader implications for both fighters' careers, could be explained more thoroughly to enhance reader understanding.

Source quality

The article references contributions from CNN reporters, which suggests a level of credibility. However, it lacks direct quotes or data from primary sources such as official fight reports, statements from the boxing commission, or direct interviews with the fighters or event organizers. Including such sources would enhance the article's authority and reliability, providing readers with a more robust understanding of the event's context and outcomes.

Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding its sources and the methods used to gather information. While it mentions contributions from specific reporters, it does not clearly outline the sources of specific facts, such as the number of punches thrown or the details of Garcia's doping case. Greater transparency in how information was obtained and verified would improve the article's credibility and allow readers to better assess the reliability of the claims presented.