2<\/p>\n Romero claims he was taking estrogen when he fought Garcia in May 2025Credit: Getty<\/p>\n Before flashing a few punches in front of the cameras, Romero was interviewed in the ring by broadcaster Curran Bahati.<\/p>\n The conversation quickly turned to Romero’s career-best win over Ryan Garcia<\/a> last time out in May 2025, and his struggles with poor mental health in the aftermath.<\/p>\n Romero raised some eyebrows when he told Bahati that his bout of depression was caused by him unknowingly taking the female hormone estrogen.<\/p>\n “So one of the pills I was taking, it kind of messed up my hormones really badly and caused me crazy depression,” he said.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING <\/p>\n “That was the cyanide I was taking that destroyed my life.<\/p>\n “And it’s crazy now, I beat Ryan Garcia while taking estrogen.<\/p>\n “But God was the one who told me what it was and saved me.”<\/p>\n What adverse effects does estrogen have on men?<\/p>\n While anti-estrogenic substances, such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), estrogen is not.<\/p>\n Unlike exogenous forms of the male hormone testosterone, which is strictly prohibited due to its ability to boost athletic performance, estrogen does not have the same effects.<\/p>\n It is widely used for legitimate medical treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and contraception for women.<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Romero takes on Lopez on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las VegasCredit: Getty<\/p>\n In men, heightened estrogen levels have adverse effects on athletic performance, as it lowers natural free testosterone.<\/p>\n This can consequently decrease muscle mass, increase body fat, and reduce strength and endurance.<\/p>\n If these claims prove to be true, then it makes Romero’s win over Garcia all the more impressive.<\/p>\n Romero dropped Garcia in the second round with a double left hook and cruised to a comfortable unanimous decision to claim the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight strap.<\/p>\n His belt was subsequently upgraded to the full world title in May when Jaron Ennis vacated it to move up to super welterweight.<\/p>\n Romero is now set to defend his belt for the first time against Lopez, who is making his 147lbs debut after dropping his WBO super lightweight title to Shakur Stevenson<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n Watch Boxing on DAZN<\/p>\n *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue<\/p>\n Sign up to DAZN<\/a> to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.<\/p>\n Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate<\/a> from just \u00a324.99\/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.<\/p>\n Alternatively, DAZN Standard<\/a> is just \u00a315.99\/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n![\"Rolly](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rolly-romero-poses-photo-defeating-1098323823.jpg\")
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