Romero Accuses Garcia Of Ducking A Rematch

Las Vegas—Rolando Romero is no longer mincing words about the fight that never happened. Speaking exclusively to BoxingNews.com, the WBA welterweight champion accused rival Ryan Garcia of walking away from a contracted rematch that both camps, he insists, had “signed, sealed and practically delivered.”

Romero, who defeated Garcia by unanimous decision in May 2025, says the return bout was locked in down to the last comma: purses, revenue splits, and a Las Vegas venue already penciled onto the Nevada State Athletic Commission calendar. “We had the whole deal set up, and he just decided not to take it,” Romero said. “The original deal was he was supposed to rematch Devin and then rematch me. I’m happy I didn’t fight in that time because I wasn’t right. I needed time to focus on myself.”

Instead of facing Romero again, Garcia targeted WBC titlist Mario Barrios and stopped the Texan in the opening round on February 21, 2026, to claim the green belt. Romero quickly dismissed the victory as careful matchmaking. “Cherry-picking,” he labeled it. “He knew Barrios was there for the taking and took the easier path.”

With the Garcia sequel shelved, Romero’s handlers pivoted to what they billed as a legacy-defining opportunity: a January 2026 title defense against Manny Pacquiao. The 47-year-old Filipino icon, according to Romero, was “eager to become the oldest welterweight champion in history.” Negotiations advanced far enough that both sides discussed broadcast windows and a potential Manila homecoming, but Pacquiao ultimately opted for a lucrative, Netflix-broadcast rematch with Floyd Mayweather at The Sphere on September 19, 2026.

Left without a dance partner, Romero now eyes a unification clash with fellow champion Devin Haney, who told reporters that the matchup is “very likely.” Haney praised Romero’s unorthodox style as a puzzle few have solved. “He has a very awkward style and that’s what makes it hard for guys to beat him,” Haney said. “This is a fight where I go in there and I have fun, and I show how good I really am.”

For Romero, the message is simple: whether it’s Haney or any other top name, he intends to stay busy while Garcia enjoys the belt he believes should have been contested in a rematch. “I beat Ryan once,” Romero said. “If he didn’t want the smoke again, that’s on him. I’m not chasing; I’m defending what’s mine.”