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.
Ex Ryan Garcia Opponent Devin Haney Takes On Jose Ramirez
Devin Haney is another man who is looking to bounce back after a tough year. Haney is off the back of a loss turned no contest with Ryan Garcia, a lawsuit which has been put on pause and a whole host of abuse from fans after being dropped by Garcia. The American is looking to set up a rematch where his can prove the world wrong and that his is in fact better than Garcia when the playing field is level. Haney isn’t shy of world level with two wins over George Kambosos Jr, a win over Vasyl Lomachenko and Jorge Linares.
Jose Ramirez is also not shy of world level boxing becoming and defending his WBC and WBO championships in 2019. Since he has lost to Josh Taylor and recently Arnold Barboza Jr sandwiched between two wins against less than world level opposition. Ramirez is now looking to return to this world level by beating Haney and setting himself up in a perfect position for a title.
Arnold Barboza Jr Vs Teofimo Lopez
The only title fight on this card is Barboza Jr who takes on WBO Lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez. Lopez is on a great run winning his last five fights including wins against Josh Taylor, Steve Claggett and Sandor Martin. Despite the dominance over some great world level talent, fans are less than convinced with a less than fan friendly style from Lopez who will try dominate Barboza Jr and set up another huge fight with one of his card compatriots.
Arnold Barboza Jr on the other hand comes into this fight with great fan support, he’s off the back of two career wins against Jose Ramirez and most recently an away win against Jack Catterall. The win vs Catterall was a title eliminator for Lopez and his WBO title which Barboza will now look to capitalise on by becoming a full world champion at the first time of asking.
Reito Tsutsumi Vs Levale Whittington
Reito Tsutsumi will open the card for his long awaited debut. Tsutsumi has a great amateur record winning the youth championships in 2021 and 2024 Japanese national championship.
Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images
