In a scene straight out of a Hollywood brawl, chaos broke out at LAX earlier today as Ryan Garcia physically clashed with fellow boxer Rolly Romero in a jaw-dropping altercation that has already sent shockwaves through the boxing world. The two fighters, who were scheduled to appear at a joint press conference to promote an upcoming fight card, instead turned the terminal into a battlefield—complete with shouting, shoving, and, according to eyewitnesses, a flurry of thrown punches.
The incident occurred just minutes after Garcia’s arrival at the international terminal, where Romero had reportedly been waiting for his own media entourage. Tensions between the two had been simmering for months, fueled by online jabs, escalating insults, and a recent string of heated interviews. But no one expected the war of words to erupt into actual violence—at least not before the cameras started rolling at the official presser.
Video footage captured by stunned bystanders shows Garcia approaching Romero with what appeared to be a sarcastic smirk. The two exchanged a few heated words before Romero stood up from a bench, removing his backpack in what looked like preparation for a confrontation. Within seconds, punches were flying. Security guards and airport personnel rushed in to separate the fighters, but not before the crowd of passengers and media got an unforgettable show.
Sources close to both camps have offered conflicting accounts of what sparked the physical altercation. Team Garcia claims Romero provoked the fight by throwing the first punch. Meanwhile, Romero’s camp insists Garcia was the aggressor, charging him unprovoked and creating a dangerous situation in a public space.
In the aftermath of the scuffle, Romero was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital with visible swelling around his left eye and minor injuries to his shoulder. Garcia appeared unscathed, though he was quickly escorted out of the terminal by private security and did not respond to reporters’ questions as he left.
Social media exploded within minutes of the footage going live, with fans and fellow fighters weighing in on the chaos. “Unprofessional but entertaining,” tweeted one fan. “Boxing’s gone full WWE,” another posted. Promoters, however, were less amused. A spokesperson for the event’s organizers said the altercation was “deeply disappointing” and could have legal and contractual consequences for both fighters.
Whether this wild airport brawl was a spur-of-the-moment explosion or a calculated PR stunt remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the hype for this fight has now reached nuclear levels. Boxing fans around the world are already demanding that the bout be moved up, and if the airport chaos was any indication, the press conference—if it even happens—might need a cage of its own.
As of now, neither fighter has made an official statement. But in the ring or out of it, Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero just made sure all eyes are on them.
