Rolly Romero’s biggest win over Ryan Garcia left him at ‘rock bottom’ as boxer battled back from suicidal thoughts

ROLLY ROMERO’S greatest night of his boxing career proved to be the start of a nightmare outside of the ring. Romero stunned American superstar Ryan Garcia in May 2025 to win the WBA welterweight world title. Rolly Romero after defeating Ryan Garcia in 2025 Credit: Getty But it sparked a period of depression for Romero Credit: Getty But what should have been the start of a big things turned out to be the beginning of a mental health breakdown. Romero struggled to get out of bed and would end up in tears while hitting the heavy bag on days he did manage to leave the house. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Watch the latest SunSport video series “I hit rock bottom,” the brave boxer told SunSport. Romero started EMDR – a psychotherapy that helps people heal from trauma and PTSD. “I was doing EMDR too at the same time, and then, like I said, fixing, helping my relationship with God,” he said. “On top of that fixing all my childhood stuff and all that with EMDR. On top of that, I was taking cyanide at the same time. “And all three of that stuff, it wasn’t a good mix. Christ told me exactly what it was. I literally heard his voice. “He told me exactly what was causing me all the torment. For 747 days of torment.” Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Romero says he battled back from suicidal thoughts after finding God. And part of that process has been to become celibate – with the boxing star claiming to have not had sex for 14 months. “I do it because it’s a sin. Sexual immorality of all kinds is a sin,” Romero says. “Any sex outside of marriage is a sin. It doesn’t matter what anyone wants to say or all that stuff, it’s a sin. “Making love, there’s a reason why it procreates life. Because it’s something intimate, something spiritual, something powerful. “It’s not something you should just go be having out just because you had a few drinks with a girl and then that just happened, right? Romero training to fight Teofimo Lopez Credit: RYAN HAFEY Romero says he has been celibate for over a year Credit: RYAN HAFEY “It’s something that should be locked in for an intimate relationship with your spouse that the Lord delivers for you. “And trust me, I am the worst of these culprits. I’m the worst of them. I done did way too much. But I done repented. “And I fight it, I fight my flesh, I fight my body, my physical body that wants it.” There is an unproven myth that abstaining from sex improves sports performance – with the theory it boosts testosterone But Romero is not a subscriber to the myth – having won all but two of his 19 bouts without celibacy. “It has nothing to do with boxing. None of that stuff ever got in the way of boxing in the past anyways,” he said. Romero facing off with Lopez Any pent up aggression related to Romero’s sex ban will be taken out on Teofimo Lopez this Saturday – live on DAZN PPV. The American world champ makes the first defence of the title he won against Garcia in New York last year. But he is already thinking about a life after fighting – like following heavyweight great George Foreman into the church. “I’m gonna end up becoming a pastor,” he says. “I’m a pastor, evangelist, something in the church. Regardless of everything, I’m spreading the good news of our Savior.” Romero admits he is more passionate about his religion that he is of the sport that has afforded him millions – but he cannot yet leave boxing behind. “I mean it’s kind of hard, you know? It’s kind of hard to say because obviously, I’m passionate about boxing, I love boxing,” he says. “Boxing’s everything I’ve accomplished. It’s both. Like I said, I can’t really say that I’m passionate about boxing. Boxing is a gift given to me.” Comment now