Ryan Garcia’s return from his drugs ban is announced – with controversial star set to feature on the same card as bitter rival Devin Haney
Controversial boxing star Ryan Garcia’s return to the ring has been confirmed.
Garcia, 26, has not fought since he beat Devin Haney last April, only for the result to later be ruled a no contest after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.
Garcia claimed he was the victim of ‘contamination’, but accepted a one-year ban and forfeited his $1.2m purse.
He is now approaching the final weeks of his suspension, and his next fight has been announced.
Ring Magazine confirmed on Friday evening that Garcia will take on former world champion Rolando Romero in Times Square, New York on May 2.
Romero has won 16 of his 18 professional bouts, but has been stopped in two of his last four fights by Gervonta Davis and Isaac Cruz.
Ryan Garcia’s return to boxing has been announced as he nears the end of his 12-month ban
Garcia has not fought since beating Devin Haney last year, only for the bout to later be declared a no contest after he failed a drugs test
Garcia and Haney will fight on the same card ahead of a potential rematch later this year
The co-main event will also see Haney in action, with Garcia’s bitter rival set to face Jose Ramirez.
Ramirez is also an ex-world champion, but was beaten by Britain’s Josh Taylor in an undisputed light-welterweight contest back in 2021.
Garcia and Haney featuring on the same card adds an extra layer of intrigue given the bad blood that exists between the pair.
Haney filed a lawsuit against Garcia last September following his failed drugs test seeking damages for battery, fraud and breach of contract.
A tentative settlement was agreed last month, and a rematch between the two men is being targeted for the second half of 2025.
A third high-profile contest is also on the bill, with Teofimo Lopez scheduled to defend his WBO light-welterweight title against Arnold Barboza Jr.
Lopez is a two-weight world champion and could be in the mix to fight Garcia or Haney in the near future if he gets past Barboza Jr.
However, Barboza Jr holds a perfect 32-0 record, and proved his world-class credentials by beating British star Jack Catterall in Manchester earlier this month.
