WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (25-2-0) admitted that while Conor Benn (25-1-0) remains his primary target, he has added Rolando Romero (17-2-0) to his shortlist of alternatives.
Garcia’s shift in tone follows weeks of insisting that the Benn fight was next. However, the differences between Golden Boy Promotions and Zuffa Boxing has made a deal much more difficult. By opening the door to a Romero rematch, Garcia has signaled that the Benn fight may be off. Garcia suffered a unanimous decision loss to Romero in May 2025, giving him a reason to run things back.
Ryan’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, is simultaneously pitching a Devin Haney rematch. Looming over all of this is Teofimo Lopez, who Garcia previously cited as the “most realistic” opponent should the Benn talks collapse entirely. With Ryan wanting to box in August, Garcia will want to lock in his next fight to prepare for a training camp.
“If Conor don’t want it, then we’ll run it back with Rolly,” Garcia