UNBELIEVABLE! Romero FLATTENS Garcia in Round 5 – The Most Shocking KO of the Year!

In a moment that will be etched in boxing history, Rolando “Rolly” Romero delivered a devastating knockout to Ryan Garcia in the fifth round at Times Square, leaving the self-proclaimed “KingRy” motionless on the canvas and claiming the vacant WBA welterweight title in the most shocking fashion of 2025. The brutal finish, which occurred at 2:47 of the round, has sent shockwaves through the sport, with fans and fighters alike calling it the knockout of the year—and possibly the end of Garcia’s reign as a top-tier contender.

A Knockout That Stunned the World

The Ring’s Fatal Fury: Times Square event had been hyped as Ryan Garcia’s redemption fight after a year-long suspension for a failed drug test in 2024, but it turned into a nightmare for the 26-year-old star. Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) started strong, using his speed to pepper Romero with combinations in the early rounds, even wobbling him with a left hook in the third. The sold-out crowd of 20,000 roared as Garcia taunted Romero, dropping his hands in a show of confidence that would soon prove costly.

Rolly Romero (17-2, 14 KOs), known for his concussive power, stayed composed, stalking Garcia with bad intentions. In the fifth round, as Garcia lunged forward with a jab, Romero unleashed a perfectly timed overhand right that landed flush on Garcia’s chin, sending him crashing face-first to the canvas at 2:47. Referee Tony Weeks immediately waved off the fight as Garcia lay motionless, prompting medical staff to rush into the ring. The arena fell silent, only for Romero to erupt in celebration, screaming, “I told you I’d finish him!” as he climbed the ropes to salute the crowd.

Garcia’s Devastating Defeat

Garcia remained down for nearly two minutes, causing widespread concern among fans and his team. He eventually sat up but appeared disoriented, requiring assistance to leave the ring. Golden Boy Promotions released a statement at 11:00 AM +07, confirming that Garcia was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for evaluation. “Ryan suffered a severe concussion but is stable. We ask for privacy as he recovers,” the statement read. The knockout marks Garcia’s second career loss, both by KO, following his 2023 defeat to Gervonta Davis, and raises serious questions about his future in the sport.

Romero, now the new WBA welterweight champion, was unapologetic in his post-fight interview with Showtime. “I said I’d retire him, and I did,” Romero declared, his face bruised but beaming with pride. “He talked too much, and I shut him up. This is my time!” The 29-year-old, who earned a $3 million purse plus PPV shares, also called out unified champion Terence Crawford, saying, “I’m the best at 147—Crawford, let’s go!”

The Boxing Community Reacts

The knockout sent shockwaves through the boxing world, with social media erupting in disbelief. On X, the hashtag #RomeroKOGarcia trended worldwide, amassing over 3 million posts within hours. Fans dubbed it the “KO of the year,” with one user writing, “That overhand right from Romero was BRUTAL—Garcia didn’t even twitch!” Another commented, “KingRy’s reign is over. Rolly just changed the game.”

Prominent figures in the sport were equally stunned. Mike Tyson, who predicted a Romero knockout on ESPN hours before the fight, posted on social media, “I told you Rolly’s power is no joke—poor Ryan never saw it coming!” Canelo Alvarez, who had warned that “Rolly might kill him” during a press conference in Riyadh on May 2, expressed concern for his former training partner, telling DAZN News, “I hate being right about this. Ryan needs to take a long break—he’s got a family to think about.” Timothy Bradley Jr., who had picked Garcia to win by knockout, admitted on Fight Hub TV, “I underestimated Rolly’s power. That was one of the nastiest KOs I’ve seen in years.”

A Career-Defining Moment for Romero

Romero’s victory cements his status as a legitimate threat in the welterweight division, erasing doubts from his previous knockout losses to Davis and Isaac Cruz. His performance validated his pre-fight claims, where he told The Ring that Garcia’s power didn’t compare to harder hitters he’d faced like Ismael Barroso. Romero’s aggressive style, described by Bradley as “pressuring and roughhousing” with “bad intentions,” proved too much for Garcia, who struggled to keep Romero at bay once the fight turned into a brawl.

The win also sets up massive opportunities for Romero, with potential matchups against Crawford or Errol Spence Jr. looming as blockbuster fights for late 2025. Promoter Leonard Ellerbe, speaking to Boxing Scene at 11:15 AM +07, called Romero “the new face of welterweight,” predicting that his knockout will “open doors to the biggest fights in the division.”

What’s Next for Garcia?

For Ryan Garcia, the road ahead looks uncertain. The knockout not only cost him the WBA title shot but also reignited concerns about his durability, especially after his year-long layoff and personal struggles with mental health and substance issues, as reported by Marca on March 25. Some analysts, including ESPN’s Teddy Atlas, suggested that Garcia may need to step away from the sport to recover physically and mentally. “That kind of KO can change a fighter forever,” Atlas said on his podcast at 11:20 AM +07. “Ryan needs to take a hard look at his future.”

Garcia, speaking briefly before heading to the hospital, showed resilience despite the loss. “I’ll be back—I always come back,” he told Showtime in a shaky voice. However, with two knockout losses on his record and a potential rematch with Devin Haney now in jeopardy, Garcia’s path to redemption will be steeper than ever.

A Night That Rewrote Boxing History

Rolly Romero’s fifth-round knockout of Ryan Garcia isn’t just a fight result—it’s a defining moment that has reshaped the welterweight landscape. The sheer brutality of the finish, combined with its impact on Garcia’s career, ensures that this KO will be replayed and debated for years to come. As Romero basks in his newfound glory, the boxing world mourns the fall of “KingRy,” wondering if the young star can rise again—or if this truly is the end of an era.