Ryan Garcia is preparing to return to the ring following a one-year suspension for testing positive for the performance enhancing drug ostarine when he faces Rolando Romero in a WBA “world” welterweight title fight in May.

Garcia vs. Romero will headline a Ring Magazine card in the United States. On the undercard, Garcia’s archrival Devin Haney will face Jose Ramirez. If Garcia and Haney both win, the plan is for them to settle their score on a Riyadh Season show following their controversial clash last April.

"We’re looking at doing big things with him,” Golden Boy Promotions chief Oscar De La Hoya told DAZN. “We can't wait to see what Turki Alalshikh decides to do with Ryan and with us as promoters. I strongly feel that Ryan is ready to come back. He’s hungry. He cannot wait. I’m telling you one thing, when Ryan fought Haney, he was a very dangerous Ryan. But this time around, now that he’s been a year off, now that he’s really hungry to get back in the ring, we’re going to see a very, very, very dangerous Ryan up in that ring whenever he fights.”

To prepare for Romero, Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) is reuniting with coach Eddy Reynoso, who guided Garcia over a five-fight stretch from 2018 to 2021. After splitting from Reynoso, Garcia was coached by Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen for three fights and most recently with Derrick James for a two-fight stint.

Although De La Hoya frequently makes Canelo Alvarez the centerpiece of his social media clapback series, the Hall of Fame fighter turned promoter realizes that Garcia linking up Alvarez’s lifelong coach and confidant is the right move to make.

"I actually love the fact that they understand each other. I think Ryan needs someone who can push him. Somebody who has the experience,” said De La Hoya. “Reynoso has the experience with Canelo, driving him toward the world title, keeping him as a world champion. I think Reynoso is a perfect fit for Ryan."