Former interim WBC lightweight champion Ryan Garcia is coming off a loss to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, which shocked the boxing world on May 2nd in Times Square, New York. Romero dropped Garcia in the second round to eventually secure a lopsided unanimous decision win. However, a statement from Garcia has now shed light on his injury before the fight.
The injury was first reported by Sports Illustrated, which seems to have occurred during training camp for Garcia’s fight against Romero. Instead of postponing the fight, Garcia decided to push through and take cortisone injections to get rid of the pain. During the fight, Garcia was slow and seemed to be on the defensive for most of the bout. Regardless, since the loss, the 26-year-old has finally broken his silence on his injury.
Garcia hopped in X earlier today, revealing that he has gone under the knife for his hand injury, but never used it as an excuse for his loss to Romero. “I went and got the surgery for my hand and what I needed to get done, I never used that as an excuse for my fight,” Garcia wrote. “The media is going to report the surgery. I’m just blessed it was done and successful.”
I went and got the surgery for my hand and what I needed to get done, I never used that as an excuse for my fight.
The media is going to report the surgery. I’m just blessed it was done and successful.
Thank you to all for the love and support from the community and people…
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 28, 2025
He thanked his supporters, noting, “Thank you to all for the love and support from the community and people who have been supporting me in my career love yall.” In the meantime, the loss to Romero cast doubts over his planned fight against rival Devin Haney in October. Not to mention, Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, recently claimed that instead of Haney, they are now focused on producing a rematch against Romero.
This comes after Guadalupe Valencia, Garcia’s manager/attorney, revealed more details about his hand injury.
Guadalupe Valencia confirms hand injury impacted Ryan Garcia during the fight
According to Valencia, Garcia had surgery on his right hand on Tuesday for an injury he suffered before the Romero fight, which impacted his performance. “Yes, his injury was a problem during the Romero fight,’’ Guadalupe Valencia told USA TODAY Sports by text message. “But that is in the past, and we don’t want to make excuses. …” Valencia also claimed that Garcia is now feeling “good and positive” before suggesting that the Victorville native will return to the ring in “fall.”
NY: Gervonta Davis v Ryan Garcia – press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz Ryan Garcia attends the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia boxing match press conference at the Palladium Times Square in New York, NY on March 8, 2023. New York Palladium Times Square NY USA NOxUSExINxGERMANY PUBLICATIONxINxALGxARGxAUTxBRNxBRAxCANxCHIxCHNxCOLxECUxEGYxGRExINDxIRIxIRQxISRxJORxKUWxLIBxLBAxMLTxMEXxMARxOMAxPERxQATxKSAxSUIxSYRxTUNxTURxUAExUKxVENxYEMxONLY Copyright: xEfrenxLandaosx Editorial use only
Without getting into specifics, Garcia’s attorney also shed light on Garcia’s future after the loss, stating, “When Ryan is well, he will be back and will have an elite-level performance.” He added, “This past fight vs. Romero is a minor setback. Ryan at 100% is unbeatable.” For now, though, Garcia’s manager suggested that they are waiting for the boxer’s hand to heal. However, he highlighted that a rematch against Haney is also in consideration.
That said, it appears Ryan Garcia was keeping his hand injury under wraps since the loss. However, the question is, do you think it’s an excuse, or Garcia’s injury really could have played a key role in his loss?
The post Ryan Garcia Breaks Silence After Fighting Injured Against Rolly Romero: “Never Used That as an Excuse” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
