Garcia calls for Benn but lists Romero fallback while Oscar De La Hoya pushes Devin Haney rematch
Ryan Garcia says he wants Conor Benn next but has named Rolando Romero as an alternative. The mixed signals come as Oscar De La Hoya publicly backs a Devin Haney rematch.
It is a classic tell in this sport that when a fighter starts listing alternatives while his promoter pitches a Devin Haney rematch, the original deal is likely stuck in the mud.
In recent comments, Garcia said Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly named a backup plan.
“If Conor don’t want it, then we’ll run it back with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia said to Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.
That alone was revealing. Fighters who believe a deal is close usually keep their message narrow. Once alternate opponents are being mentioned publicly, it often means there are still hurdles over money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.
Then another wrinkle arrived when Óscar De La Hoya publicly backed a different fight altogether.
“The one that interests me the most is the rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be large enough for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Now Garcia’s public path includes three separate names: Benn, Romero, and Devin Haney. That is rarely how a finalized fight sounds.
The Benn matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more marketable names from the United Kingdom and now has added curiosity after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s strongest social media attractions and still drives attention regardless of results.
Put those names together, and there is clear commercial value.
But making the fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to Golden Boy. Benn’s new alignment creates fresh business layers. Venue also matters. A United States event, a United Kingdom event, or Saudi backing would each change the economics.
That helps explain why backup options are already being floated.
The Haney rematch also remains valuable because unfinished business still sells. Their first meeting created headlines, controversy, and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In modern boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.
Romero, meanwhile, offers the simplest practical route. He is known, available, and already connected to Garcia’s recent story.
Ryan may genuinely prefer Benn, but preference does not always decide the schedule. Promoters, networks, and timing usually do.