Professional boxer Ryan Garcia is set to undergo a surgical procedure on his hand after sustaining an injury during preparation for his recent bout against Rolando "Rolly" Romero. Despite the setback, Garcia opted to proceed with the fight, reportedly aided by multiple cortisone injections, rather than forfeit his position as the main event in a prominent Times Square DAZN pay-per-view showcase. The news of this upcoming surgery was initially disclosed by Sports Illustrated.

The match saw Garcia, known for his powerful punches, facing significant challenges from Romero's left hook in the second round, which sent him to the canvas. Throughout the contest, Garcia struggled to maintain dominance, ultimately resulting in a unanimous decision loss over twelve rounds. This performance sparked discussions about Garcia's reduced punch output, marking one of the lowest recorded figures in CompuBox history for a 12-round fight. Although Garcia avoided discussing his hand injury publicly, attributing his performance to a year-long break due to a previous positive drug test, the impact of the injury remains a topic of interest among boxing enthusiasts.

Six weeks post-surgery, Garcia plans to return to training, aiming to rebuild his competitive edge. With his defeat, the anticipated rematch with Devin Haney has been put on hold, leaving Garcia's next move uncertain. While he leans towards another encounter with Romero, the boxing world awaits clarity on his future engagements. Garcia’s resilience and determination to overcome obstacles underscore the enduring spirit of athletes who face both physical and professional challenges with unwavering commitment.