Ryan Garcia was seen crying in a car just moments after suffering a devastating unanimous decision loss to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero in Times Square, New York City.
The emotional footage, which has since gone viral, showed the 26-year-old boxing star visibly shattered after his career-defining defeat on Friday night.
The video, posted on X, captured Garcia slumped inside a sleek black SUV, the door ajar, as the bustling energy of Times Square glowed in the background.
Garcia, who entered the ring as an overwhelming favourite, was expected to dominate Romero and pave the way for a blockbuster rematch with Devin Haney later this year.
However, the 24-2 fighter, who had been sidelined for a year following a drug suspension after testing positive for the banned substance ostarine in 2024, appeared a shadow of his former self.
Romero, with a record of 17-2, delivered a masterclass, dropping Garcia with a vicious left hook in the second round and controlling the fight to secure a unanimous decision victory with scores of 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109.
Ryan Garcia was seen crying in the back of a black SUV shortly after his defeat on Friday night
The American boxing star came up short in his battle against Rolly Romero in Times Square
The clip, which has racked up thousands of views, paints a stark contrast to the brash, confident persona Garcia has long projected on social media, where he boasts over 12 million Instagram followers.
The post’s caption read, ‘Ryan Garcia crying the car after losing to Rolly Romero’.
The loss not only cost Garcia the WBA welterweight title but also derailed plans for the highly anticipated Garcia-Haney II showdown, which was meant to be announced at the end of the Times Square card.
Garcia later admitted the year-long layoff had taken a toll, telling reporters, ‘I just think that whole year took a lot out of my body physically and mentally. I’m just happy that I made it into the ring and went 12 rounds.’ But for many, his emotional breakdown in the car spoke louder than his words.
Once hailed as one of boxing’s brightest young talents, Garcia’s 2024 victory over Devin Haney was overturned to a no-contest after his positive drug test, and he was slapped with a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission.
His return to the ring was meant to be a triumphant comeback, but instead, it has left his future uncertain.
Boxing analysts are now questioning whether Garcia can bounce back from this loss, especially with the Haney rematch now in jeopardy.
Romero, ever the unexpected victor, surprisingly advocated for the rematch to still happen, telling ESPN, ‘I think Devin and Ryan should get their rematch and make a big one.’
