It is not often after the hundreds of years of history that boxing brings something new to the table but with Turki Alalshikh anything can and will happen. This weekend is no different as Ryan Garcia takes on Rolly Romero as a main event in a stacked Times Square card.
The card is stacked with world level talent and storylines all over. Garcia may headline the card but we have a world title fight with Arnold Barboza Jr and Teofimo Lopez facing off and Devin Haney returns against Jose Ramirez.
Ryan Garcia Vs Rolly Romero-
Let’s start with the main event and the most polarising character in boxing, Ryan Garcia. Garcia returns from his ban after getting suspended for ingesting Ostarine when he fought Devin Haney last year. The new Welterweight has been a news magnet ever since with many people asking what he does next. Despite the fight result being overturned its undoubtable that Garcia went in the ring and got the better of Haney showing signs of the original Garcia who was a generational talent.
In terms of in ring performance Garcia technically hasn’t been victorious since 2023 and since has only fought once a year. Garcia could struggle with the inactivity and will link back up with Derrick James for this camp after he was forced to leave Eddy Reynoso’s camp due to ‘Circumstances’. The circumstances were Canelo’s bout with William Scull being scheduled for just a day after Garcia Romero.
Romero is looking to re angle his short but very storied career after two losses in his last four. Rolly has had a up and down career with much of his early hype derailed after losing to Gervonta Davis much like Ryan Garcia. He will now look to upset the narrative by beating Garcia in a huge Times Square bout to set up some major fights in his future. Romero may have only had 18 fights in his near decade career but will ensure he puts all on the line Friday night to return to big time boxing with a splash.
Ryan Garcia Vs Rolly Romero Full Undercard-
Ryan Garcia (24-1-0) Vs Rolly Romero (16-2-0)-
Devin Haney (31-0-0) Vs Jose Ramirez (29-2-0)- Devin Haney Via Decision
Teofimo Lopez (21-1-0) Vs Arnold Barboza Jr (32-0-0)- Teofimo Lopez Via Decision
Reito Tsutsumi (0-0-0) Vs Levale Whittington (1-2-1)- Reito Tsutsumi Via Decision
Live Updates-
The Times Square card ends in a little disappointments, the Barboza Jr and Lopez fight was a rare high in what was a poor night of boxing in the end.
Haney put on a poor performance but was lucky Ramirez did even less.
Ryan Garcia underestimated Rolly Romero who cruised to a victory.
Tsutsumi looked good in a debut 6 rounder but against an understandable journeymen.
The card had great potential but styles clashed poorly for viewing and the storylines haven’t quite panned out as fans would’ve liked.
Rolly Romero Defeats Ryan Garcia Via Decision
Garcia loses a decision to Rolly Romero after putting it a lacklustre performance which Romero took advantage of.
Compubox saw the 3rd lowest punches thrown in there history of 12 round fights.
Garcia got dropped after Romero landed a double left hook in the 2nd round and continued that strong performance into the first 6/7 rounds of the fight.
Garcia looked half the fighter he did against Haney last year with Romero’s style really making the fight quiet and ugly.
Ryan didn’t seem to want to throw despite trainer Derrick James urging him every time he returned to his corner.
Garcia will now have to return to the gym and rethink his future as the Haney bout now has less to no steam and most likely won’t go ahead.
Romero on the other hand has shown he is still great in the division and can cause issues to anyone.
Devin Haney Defeats Jose Ramirez Via Decision
First few rounds Haney looked very punch shy moving a lot side to side avoiding Ramirez but not throwing much at all. The dull first two rounds was summed up by the commentators more concentrated on Haney’s footwear not sticking together and being taped up.
From 3-6 Haney opened up slightly more throwing some fast combinations showing he’s faster and better than Ramirez but still hasn’t gotten to his previous heights.
Ramirez really had the opportunity to open up and really scare Devin Haney especially in the first few rounds but looked just as gun shy despite not having the same PTSD like history.
Haney crawls to a victory in uninspiring fashion after he needed to put a statement performance on.
Teofimo Lopez Defeats Arnold Barboza Jr Via Decision
Lopez puts on a great performance moving well and making Barboza miss and punishing him. Lopez used his superior defensive ability well moving in and out of the pocket.
The Ring magazine champion showed his dominance by showboating in the final few rounds, bouncing around the ring with his hands down.
Teofimo will now look on to potentially have a bigger bout with one of the latter fighters on the card.
Barboza will now have to go back to the drawing board after not landing much on Lopez.
Prelim Results-
Reito Tsutsumi Defeats Whittington Via Decision
Tsutsumi puts a great debut performance beating Whittington comfortably and showing some good raw power and lots of shot variability against a very closed up opponent.
Reito Tsutsumi put Whittington under the ropes with a looping overhand left but couldn’t finish him off at the end of the 2nd.
Gennari Defeats Allen Via Decision
Gennari Vs Allen ends with a Gennari win. Very fun interesting format if not done too tacky and often i wouldn’t mind seeing it again. NYPD vs FDNY was fun and apt for the New York setting.
Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images
