Not Fighting To Win, Just For A Check’: Rolando Romero’s Scathing Critique Of Garcia, Haney, Lopez, And The State Of Modern Boxing

Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero says he’s not sure how much fan interest there will be for a Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 rematch after what transpired last Friday. Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) may have spoiled things for those two by defeating Ryan by a 12-round unanimous decision last Friday night on the Times Square event in New York City.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Rematch Impact

Romero says the low punch output for both fighters will make it difficult to get “much traction” for the Garcia-Haney rematch. Ryan threw only 210 punches in his fight with Rolly. Haney threw 224 in his lackluster 12-round unanimous decision against Jose Ramirez in the co-feature.

Ryan didn’t rule out going ahead with the rematch with Haney in October. He said he’d leave it up to the fans. It’s interesting that he’s not amped up about trying to avenge his loss to Romero. That tells you that Garcia isn’t confident he can win.

That second-round knockdown he suffered against Rolly put the scare in him, as he felt his power and didn’t do anything the remainder of the fight. I think Kingry knows if he fights Rolando again, he’ll get beaten, and his chances of fighting Haney after would dim.

“I don’t think I spoiled plans because they’re still adamant on doing the rematch,” said Rolly Romero to Fighthype when asked if he thinks the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia rematch plans have been spoiled with his victory over Kingry last Friday. “I don’t know how much traction it’s going to get, considering both fighters had the lowest punch output ever.”

Turki Alalshikh hasn’t said a word about whether he’s still interested in putting on the Garcia vs. Haney 2 fight. He’s the one who will decide. If he still wants to see those two fight in October, Ryan won’t say no. Haney still wants the fight because that’s his biggest payday. He’s not built to compete with the top welterweights like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis or Brian Norman Jr., so he wants that big payday against Ryan. Whatever happens after his career falls apart, it won’t matter. He’ll have made his retirement money.

“I think they should do it again. I was helping them promote the fight. I kept saying they should have the rematch,” said Rolly about Ryan and Devin. “I just went in there to whip Ryan’s a** and get my belt. I didn’t care about anything else. You can’t promote a fight like that [Garcia-Haney 2] and completely forget about who else is on the fight.”

That was a bad way to promote the Garcia vs. Romero fight by talking about the rematch with Haney throughout the build-up. They treated Rolly like he was just a prop for Garcia to knock out on his way to the rematch with Haney.

Paycheck Fighters?

“Look at it. They all just fought to get to the next paycheck,” said Rolly about the Times Square card with Ryan, Devin, and Teofimo Lopez going through the motions, putting out minimal effort. “Ryan tried to win for one moment. He got cracked. Changed. ‘I’m going to fight for the next paycheck.’ They’re all fighting for the next paycheck. They’re not fighting to win. It’s disgusting.”

It did look like Ryan, Haney, and Teofimo were just fighting to get their big purses and thinking about the next payday ahead. Lopez was showboating the entire fight, landing almost nothing, and trying not to get hit. His fight was every bit as boring as Haney’s, and it was obvious that he was just there for the money.

“I don’t fight for money. You can’t buy me,” said Romero. “Do you think Shakur is worth anything he asks for? No. Do you think Devin is worth what he asks for? No. Ryan has a big following. So, we’ll give him a pass. Canelo has a big following. So, we’ll give him a pass. Honestly, what has Canelo done in a long time?”

Canelo Alvarez was another one of the fighters who failed to put out any effort. He looked like he was sparring in his fight with William Scull on May 3rd.

“I know Benavidez is going to beat his a**. I know Benavidez isn’t fighting for a check. He’s fighting because he wants to win. That’s the difference. That’s what’s destroying the sport. People being overpaid for what they don’t deserve,” said Rolly,