Ryan Garcia’s Shocking Comeback Fight Gets a Major Upgrade—But There’s a Catch

The boxing world is buzzing with unexpected news: Ryan Garcia’s comeback fight against Rolly Romero has been dramatically upgraded to a ‘world title’ clash—but there’s a twist.

With uncertainty looming over the status of the WBA world welterweight title, this development could change the landscape of the division and set the stage for an electrifying rematch with Devin Haney.

A New ‘World Title’ on the Line?

In a shocking twist, Garcia and Romero will reportedly be fighting for a version of the WBA world title in their highly anticipated May showdown. But here’s where things get murky: Eimantas Stanionis currently holds the full WBA welterweight belt. So, how is this possible?

Reports indicate that the Garcia vs. Romero bout will be contested for a WBA ‘world welterweight title’, but which one? The WBA is known for having multiple belts, and this particular fight will likely be for the ‘regular’ version—a lesser-regarded but still significant title.

However, there’s been no official confirmation from the WBA regarding whether Stanionis will be stripped of his championship. Instead, the undefeated Lithuanian is set to defend his title against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in a high-stakes welterweight unification bout on April 12. If the winner of that fight vacates the belt, Garcia or Romero could be upgraded to a full-fledged world champion.

The Road to the Devin Haney Rematch

Garcia’s fight with Romero will unfold under the bright lights of Times Square, New York City, sharing a high-profile card with his fierce rival, Devin Haney, who is set to face Jose Ramirez in a separate clash. But the bigger picture? A high-stakes rematch between Garcia and Haney, planned for October in Saudi Arabia.

The last time these two warriors met, Garcia shocked the world by dropping Haney three times, securing what appeared to be a career-defining victory. But that triumph was short-lived—after testing positive for the banned substance ostarine, the result was overturned to a no contest, and Garcia was handed a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).

Now, with his suspension set to expire on April 20, 2025, Garcia is required to pass a clean drug test to be relicensed. This adds another layer of intrigue to his return—will he be the same fighter without any controversy looming over him?

Weight, VADA Testing, and the Future of 147lbs

Garcia and Haney are both moving up to the welterweight division (147lbs), with Garcia making the jump after struggling to make the super lightweight limit in their first fight. Haney, too, has long battled the scale and will now join Garcia at 147lbs.

In an effort to ensure transparency, Garcia has now enrolled in the VADA drug testing program, a requirement that Haney insisted on before agreeing to their rematch. Garcia had previously voiced skepticism about VADA’s credibility, but he has now fully committed to the random drug testing program. Additionally, he will also undergo random tests under the supervision of California State Athletic Commission agents.

Both fighters have also signed multi-fight deals with Riyadh Season, setting the stage for a blockbuster 2025 in boxing’s welterweight division.

What Happens Next?

With Ryan Garcia’s comeback fight now carrying world title implications, the stakes are higher than ever. But will this new title hold weight, or is it simply a stepping stone to bigger things? More importantly, will Garcia and Haney both emerge victorious in May to set up their long-awaited rematch?

One thing is certain—boxing fans are in for an unpredictable and thrilling ride. Buckle up, because the road to Garcia vs. Haney II just took a wild turn.