In a stunning turn of events, Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero secured the most significant victory of his career on Friday night, defeating Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision in a captivating outdoor boxing event held in the heart of Times Square. This highly anticipated match showcased Romero's skills as he dropped Garcia with a powerful double left hook in the second round and maintained control throughout the bout.
The three ringside judges scored the fight 115-112 (twice) and 118-109 in favor of the Las Vegas-based fighter, who now boasts an impressive record of 17 wins and 2 losses, with 13 of those victories coming by knockout. The Guardian's scorecard reflected a similar sentiment, awarding the fight 116-111 to Romero. In contrast, Garcia, who was returning from a one-year suspension due to performance-enhancing drugs, struggled significantly with his timing and output, landing only 54 punches over 12 rounds. This match recorded one of the lowest combined punch totals tracked by Compubox in history.
This unexpected loss significantly complicates Garcia's plans for a rematch with Devin Haney, which had been tentatively scheduled for later this year. Garcia's defeat raises doubts about the feasibility of that matchup, leaving fans and analysts questioning the future of both fighters. Reflecting on his performance, Garcia stated, “I just think that whole year off took a lot off my body, physically and mentally. I’m just happy I made it into the ring and fought 12 rounds. Hats off to Rolly. He did a great job.”
Romero's strategy, under the guidance of renowned trainer Ismael Salas, involved a blend of patience and aggression. He effectively nullified Garcia’s signature counter left with a solid defensive guard while delivering damaging body shots and lead hooks. After suffering a knockdown in the second round, Garcia struggled to regain his rhythm and confidence, allowing Romero to dictate the pace of the fight.
This bout marked Garcia's first appearance since his majority decision victory over Haney last April was overturned following a failed drug test. In the time leading up to this fight, Garcia faced additional challenges, including an arrest for alleged hotel damage and a suspension from WBC events due to controversial remarks made online. A planned exhibition fight in Japan was also canceled due to a wrist injury sustained during training.
In the co-main event, Devin Haney demonstrated his prowess with a comfortable unanimous decision victory over former unified champion José Ramírez, with judges scoring the fight 119-109 (twice) and 118-110. Haney, maintaining his unbeaten record at 32-0, employed a cautious yet effective boxing style, utilizing long-range counters and lateral movement to keep Ramírez at bay. This bout marked Haney's first at a catchweight above 140lbs and his first fight following the overturned result against Garcia.
Earlier in the evening, Teófimo López opened the tripleheader with a commanding performance against Arnold Barboza Jr., successfully defending his WBO title at 140lbs via unanimous decision with scores of 118-110 and 116-112 (twice). López showcased energy and control, outlanding Barboza 127-71 while absorbing some clean counters. Following his victory, López called out Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, with promoter Eddie Hearn indicating that a potential showdown could be in the works.
This remarkable boxing event, held in collaboration with Ring Magazine and backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, marked a historic first for Times Square. The venue drew thousands of boxing enthusiasts and curious tourists, who watched the action unfold beneath the iconic LED canopy of one of Manhattan’s busiest areas. Notable past and present boxing stars, including Mike Tyson, Terence Crawford, and Shakur Stevenson, were in attendance, adding to the event's excitement.
Originally intended to conclude with an announcement for Garcia-Haney II, the night’s outcome instead cast doubt on Garcia’s future in the sport, while Haney and López bolstered their cases for major matchups. With Romero’s momentum surging, the boxing world will be watching closely to see what comes next for these talented fighters.
