Garcia vs. Romero: Sergio Mora Predicts Explosive Knockout in First Half

Former world champion Sergio Mora shared his thoughts on the upcoming welterweight showdown between Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) and Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs), set for May 2 at Times Square in New York, USA.

"Garcia needs to not only rebuild his reputation but also prove that he’s still a powerful puncher and a fast fighter capable of performing on the big stage.

He’s facing an opponent in Rolly Romero who will give him plenty of opportunities. Rolly comes to knock people out, but he has holes in his defense. I expect a short, explosive fight. Either one of them could get hurt. Garcia has defensive vulnerabilities.

I’d say round five—Garcia knocks out Romero in the fifth. This fight won’t reach the second half. Too much punching power, too many defensive flaws.

Yeah, I think this fight ends in the fifth or sixth round, but it’ll be fireworks. Every fight on the May 2 card will end in a knockout—except Teofimo vs. Barboza. That one will go the full distance and be razor-close," Mora said in an interview with Little Giant Boxing.

The fight against Romero will be Garcia’s first since April 2024, when he defeated Devin Haney by decision. Haney was knocked down in rounds 7, 10, and 11, but Garcia’s win was later overturned after he failed a drug test and received a one-year suspension.