Garcia vs Romero LIVE: Results as ‘King Ryan’ is dropped and outpointed in Times Square
A unique event in Times Square ended with Ryan Garcia suffering a nightmare loss to Rolly Romero, after Devin Haney did his bit to set up a rematch by outpointing Jose Ramirez
Ryan Garcia suffered a nightmare loss to Rolly Romero on Friday, potentially leaving his planned rematch with Devin Haney in tatters.
Garcia was dropped by Romero in round two and ultimately beaten on points, moments after Haney won a decision against Jose Ramirez in the very same ring in New York City.
After Haney’s victory, a triumph for Garcia would have set up a rematch of their 2024 clash, in which “King Ryan” dropped the “Dream” three times en route to a decision win, which was overturned upon the revelation that Garcia had failed a pre-fight drug test. That bout took place at super-lightweight, while the 26-year-olds made their welterweight debuts on Friday (2 May), with mixed results.
Haney won a wide decision against fellow former world champion Ramirez (119-109, 119-109, 118-110), yet he looked almost as gun-shy as the 32-year-old. Haney appeared hesitant for much of the bout, perhaps due to his disastrous evening against Garcia last time out, although he did grow into the fight with Ramirez.
In any case, Haney did enough to secure the victory and stay unbeaten, which is more than can be said of Garcia, who suffered his second professional loss. All the action took place in Times Square, the heart of New York City, where Teofimo Lopez outpointed Arnold Barboza Jr earlier in the night. Re-live the fights below.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Round five
Blistering start to round five.
Romero just about blocks a long lead hook and barely misses with his own overhand.
Now Romero dips into a short left hook. Not the full extent of Garcia’s power there.
Garcia hooks to the body. He goes high, and Romero just about keeps that shot at bay.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Round four
Romero continues to jab to the body. Garcia with promising jabs to the head.
Some of the pressure from Garcia is making Romero skip around for long spells.
Garcia misses with a stabbing cross but scores with a spearing jab. Close round.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Round three
Well, well, well. What now? We said that one of Haney, Garcia or Lopez could slip up tonight, but seemed the least likely!
Stern jab to the body by Romero. Garcia blocks one upstairs.
Romero catches a left hook. Now he’s keeping his glove high to be doubly sure.
Clubbing overhand from Garcia late in the round.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Round two
Oh! WHAT!! Romero with a double left hook, and Garcia goes down!
He’s quickly back up and showing his frustration, but how lucid is he??
We’re back under way, and he’s almost down again, but thanks to some wrestling from Romero! The ref warns the older fighter over that.
Now Romero hammers a right hook to the body of Garcia, who is at least lucid and confident enough to keep throwing.
Big overhand by Romero. This is the fight of the night already!
Garcia with a nice left hook late in the round.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Round one
Both men stand orthodox. Garcia is the tall man. Both hold the centre of the ring, already much different to Haney vs Ramirez.
Garcia’s left hook is the shot to watch out for tonight.
Garcia is parrying Romero’s jab well so far and landing his own more cleanly.
Garcia blocks a left hook. Romero jabs to the body twice, although he’s reaching somewhat. Now a left hook to the body of Garcia definitely lands.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Here we go!
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
So, Garcia returns here after a one-year drug ban, which saw his win against Haney overturned.
Garcia, 26, and Romero, 29, have been linked for years, and finally they square off.
Romero has two pro losses, both by stoppage, against Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz. Garcia has one loss as a pro, a stoppage by Tank.
The odds favour Garcia here, and many expect a knockout from “King Ryan”.
Ryan Garcia headlines unique Times Square event against Rolly Romero
Romero is in the ring, while Garcia draws nearer in... a replica of the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman film!
He exits the car and makes his walk to the sound of “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco. Fitting?
Devin Haney aims to regain momentum in clash with Jose Ramirez
Round 12
Final round! Same stuff again.
“Con todo!” shouts Ramirez’s coach, urging the 32-year-old to throw “with everything”.
Ramirez obliges, but he’s not landing.
We’ll go to the scorecards.
Devin Haney def. Jose Ramirez via unanimous decision (119-109, 119-109, 118-110)
As expected. Wide yet somehow underwhelming. It wasn’t fun, it wasn’t very convincing, but Haney gets it done.
Over to you, Ryan Garcia...
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