Ryan Garcia Vs. Rolly Romero Fight Odds, Predictions And Picks
One of the most anticipated boxing cards of 2025 is nearly upon us. That event, the 'FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves' card, takes place on Friday in Times Square. In the main event of the April 2 card in New York City, Ryan Garcia faces Rolly Romero in a welterweight matchup. Before that fight, Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez face off, also at welterweight. Meanwhile, the fight card opener sees Teofimo Lopez put his WBO super lightweight title on the line against Arnold Barboza Jr. Below, we focus on the main event, looking at the betting odds, line movement, picks, and predictions for the Garcia vs. Romero match.
When the betting odds for this fight opened, Garcia was the -700 betting favorite over the +480 Romero. Garcia has moved to -1200, while Romero is now the +550 betting underdog.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero face off in Times Square prior to their ... More WBA Welterweight fight on March 04, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/)
The May 2 event marks the first time Garcia (24-1-0-1 with 20 knockouts) will compete since he defeated Haney via majority decision in April 2024. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) later ruled the fight a no contest after Garcia failed a drug test related to the bout. Garcia tested positive for ostarine and received a one-year suspension for the failed drug test. The NYSAC also ruled that Garcia's $1.1 million purse had to be returned to the promoter. The commission fined Garcia $10,000. The matchup was initially for Haney's WBC super lightweight title, but Garcia was not eligible to win the belt because he came in 3.2 pounds over the championship limit of 140 pounds. Haney had been 31-0 entering the Garcia scrap.
Romero (16-2 with 13 knockouts) has alternated wins and losses over his past five outings. He carried a 14-0 record into his May 2022 matchup against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, but lost that contest via sixth-round TKO. Romero bounced back with a May 2023 TKO win over Ismael Barroso, winning the vacant WBA super lightweight belt in the process. He followed that victory with another TKO loss, this time losing in the eighth round to Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, and giving up his belt. In his most recent outing, Romero defeated Manuel Jaimes by unanimous decision in September 2024.
Record: 24-1-0-1 with 20 knockouts
Age: 26
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 70"
Stance: Orthodox
Record: 16-2-0 with 13 knockouts
Age: 29
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 68"
Stance: Orthodox
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Ryan Garcia looks on during a media workout ahead of his WBA ... More Welterweight Title fight against Rolando Romero on April 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/)
From a promotional point of view, this fight is a winnable win for Garcia. It's hard to believe his promoter, Golden Boy, would book him against an opponent they thought had any chance of beating Garcia, knowing he is coming off a suspension and that a lot of eyes will be on him heading into this matchup. It's also hard to believe the promotion would put Garcia at risk of losing a fight with many potential big paydays on the horizon with a win on Friday night against Romero, who has the name recognition, knockouts, and record to get fans intrigued in this boxing match.
With that in mind, Garcia cannot take this opponent lightly. He needs to mind his defense. If he gets too loose or looks to entertain the crowd (or himself) too much, Romero is a fighter who can end Garcia's night abruptly. Two things we also need to consider when it comes to Romero are his knockout losses to Gervonta Davis in 2022 and Isaac Cruz in 2024. Will those setbacks weigh on Romero and result in a more technical approach from him in this matchup? If so, that will play to Garcia's strengths, which, of course, Romero cannot do.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Rolando Romero in action during a media workout ahead of his ... More welterweight bout against Ryan Garcia on April 29, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/)
Garcia comes into the fight knowing he has the speed and power to make an opponent pay for even a small defensive slip, which we saw in his fight with Haney. If one takes the drug test failure out of the equation, Garcia took advantage of Haney's defensive errors, which Romero has been known to make.
Trainer Derrick James has helped Garcia develop his overall skills since they started working together a few fights ago. That relationship continues to result in improvements to Garcia's game. It will be interesting to see what new wrinkles they added during the time they had to prepare for Romero. The key for Garcia is to remain dialed in on what he and James have worked on.
Expect Romero to try to bully Garcia in the early moments of this fight, using his power and pressure to get inside the head and defense of Garcia. If he can shake Garcia somehow, Romero has a chance to win. If Garcia can remain focused and look for openings for his power, the fight is his to win.
The idea behind this fight is to get Garcia a showcase and make fans forget the failed drug test and suspension, while at the same time setting up a rematch between Garcia and Haney. All signs point to that happening and both fighters winning on Friday.
The betting pick is for Ryan Garcia to defeat Rolly Romero by knockout.
We will have more on the Garcia vs. Romero fight card as fight night approaches.
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