Ryan Garcia makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Rolly Romero atop a fight card that also features his long-time rival Devin Haney in a historic New York bill, live and exclusive on DAZN worldwide .
The star will fight for the first time since a victory over his former foe was ruled a no-contest after he failed a drug test, having also failed to make weight for the bout before.
Garcia has been open about his demons and struggles since then, and there will be many that hope one of American boxing's biggest names can put his troubles behind him.
But Romero will be determined to make the most of his chance in the spotlight, while Haney will have to contend with the challenge of Jose Ramirez too underneath them.
DAZN News has everything you need to know ahead of Ryan Garcia against Rolly Romero.
DAZN
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero fight date, start time
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero will take place on Friday, May 2 at The Ring's Fatal Fury: Times Square , with the whole card set to be shown live only on DAZN PPV .
It marks the former's first bout since his no-contest performance last April against Devin Haney, and the latter's first fight since a September points win over Manuel Jaimes.
- Date : Friday, May 2
- Time : TBA
- DAZN Coverage Begins: 10pm BST / 5pm ET / 2pm PT
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero fight card
- Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero ; Welterweight
- Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez ; Welterweight
- Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr ; Super lightweight, for the WBO title
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
How to watch Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero?
Garcia vs Romero will be exclusively on DAZN PPV.
Fight fans can purchase the fight individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; ROW - $24.99 per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle for $90 US; £34.99 in the UK and €34.99 in Europe which includes Garcia vs Romero and Canelo vs Scull on May 3.
Where is the Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero fight?
The fight is set to be held at Times Square , in New York, United States .
The historic Midtown Manhattan intersection brings together Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street - and now, will bring some massive names together for an unmissable contest too.
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero odds
Ryan Garcia is the favourite to get the job done when he takes on Rolly Romero with the star priced odds-on at 1/10 for the win with DAZN Bet.
His opponent is the outsider, with relatively distant odds of 19/4 to take the upset victory.
To win:
- Ryan Garcia: 1/10
- Rolly Romero: 19/4
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero form and history
Previously considered one of the biggest rising stars in American boxing, Ryan Garcia seemed poised to take the sport by storm before his clash with Devin Haney last year.
But having missed weight before the bout, his subsequent victory was ruled a no-contest due to a failed drug test, missing out on the WBC super lightweight title as a result.
He has not fought since, instead embroiled in controversies outside of the ring, but now he will return with a firm intention to stake his place as part of the sport's upper tier again.
Romero will be determined to stop him however, with the former WBA super lightweight title holder having built a sturdy reputation of his own since turning professional.
He suffered a second career loss against Isaac Cruz last March, losing the crown in his first defence, but has since rebounded to defeat Manuel Jaimes in September.
Romero will know he enters this contest as the outsider, with many fans having hoped for a Haney rematch instead - but here, he will be out to prove his mettle too.
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero tale of the tape
Ryan Garcia record
- Nationality : American
- Age : 26
- Height : 5' 8.5"
- Reach : 70"
- Total fights : 26
- Record : 24-1 (1) (20 KOs)
Rolly Romero record
- Nationality : American
- Age : 29
- Height : 5' 8"
- Reach : 67"
- Total fights : 18
- Record : 16-2 (13 KOs)
What has been said?
Garcia is certainly not underestimating the the threat that Romero offers against him, and addressed concerns that his time away from the ring could hinder his sharpness.
“I’ve got to take him as serious as if I’m fighting Devin, so we’re going to be prepared," he said. "I’m explosive and I’m hungry. I feel the adrenaline right now."
Romero meanwhile weighed in on his prospects, having sparred with his opponent previously and reportedly got the better of him on a pair of occasions.
“He got his ass beat," he added. "Twice. Three times a charm, right?"