Garcia enters the ring with a 24-1 record and 20 knockouts. He's coming off a one-year suspension after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine. The suspension changed his previous majority decision win over Devin Haney to a no-contest.
Romero brings a 16-2 record with 13 knockouts to the fight. The bout carries massive implications for both fighters, but especially for Garcia as he tries to rebuild his reputation after the doping scandal.
Oscar De La Hoya, the Hall of Fame boxer turned promoter, sees this as a perfect matchup for Garcia to make a statement. In a recent Instagram video, De La Hoya said:
"Our fighters are ready to go, though. Check out their media workouts tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET at the Manhattan Center here in NYC live on..."
Despite looking a bit out of shape in the video, De La Hoya's excitement for the fight was clear. He told reporters:
"I saw Rolly the other day - he looks like an animal. It's a dangerous fight if you keep your cool. Ryan has quick reflexes. He's a fighter with something to prove. This could be one of the most exciting short fights in history."
The Golden Boy Promotions founder even suggested the fight could end in less than a minute, calling Romero the perfect opponent for Garcia to score a knockout.
De La Hoya added:
"Ryan's attitude is different now. All eyes will be on boxing, on Ryan Garcia, and on the rest of the fighters on May 2nd. This is a victory for the sport... May 2nd would not have happened without Ryan Garcia. He is the sport of boxing."
The pre-fight press conference stirred up old rivalries when De La Hoya and Bill Haney, Devin Haney's father, got into a heated exchange. The incident added more fuel to an already fiery event.
For Garcia, this fight represents more than just a comeback. It's a chance to reclaim his story and rebuild his image after being branded a cheater by many fans. A loss could stall his momentum for good, while a win might be a pivotal moment in restoring his reputation.
When the bell rings in New York, the spotlight will be unforgiving. The boxing world will watch closely to see if Garcia can silence his critics and prove he still belongs among the sport's elite.