Talks point to late-year return as contract issues and Benn fight talks shape the timeline
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero 2 is being discussed for the second half of 2026 following renewed interest in the matchup. The timing depends on Garcia’s talks with Conor Benn and ongoing contract issues.
Salvador Rodriguez reported that multiple sources in Las Vegas have indicated Garcia–Romero 2 is a real possibility as early outlines for late-year cards begin to circulate.
The first fight took place on May 3, 2025, in Times Square, where Romero defeated Garcia by unanimous decision to claim the WBA Regular welterweight title. Romero stayed disciplined across the distance, limiting Garcia’s offense and forcing a slower fight than expected.
Coming off a more composed win against Mario Barrios earlier this year, Garcia has started to rebuild the momentum he lost in that defeat. His team pointed to that outing as a correction after a performance that drew criticism from promoter Oscar De La Hoya.
For Romero, the second fight is less about opportunity and more about confirmation. He followed a controlled plan under trainer Ismael Salas the first time, and doing it again would remove any debate about how that result is viewed.
Ryan has publicly described Romero as a backup option if a fight with Conor Benn does not come together, which leaves Romero waiting on how those talks develop. That positioning affects timing, because it ties the rematch to another negotiation rather than moving on its own track.
There are also business complications attached. Garcia’s contract situation continues to be a recurring issue, and De La Hoya has previously shown little interest in revisiting the Romero fight. That combination makes the discussions more complicated, even with a clear storyline already in place.
A second meeting would still revolve around the same point as the first. Garcia would be trying to correct a recent loss. Romero would be trying to repeat it under similar conditions.