Ryan Garcia surprised via Rolando Romero in seismic Times Square disenchanted

Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero scored the largest win of his profession on Friday night time, scary Ryan Garcia via unanimous resolution in the primary match of a surreal out of doors boxing card staged within the middle of Times Square.

Romero dropped Garcia with a double left hook in the second one spherical and went directly to keep watch over the combat. The 3 ringside judges scored the bout 115-112 (two times) and 118-109 for the Las Vegas-based fighter, who stepped forward to 17-2 with 13 knockouts. (The Guardian had it 116-111 for Romero.)

Garcia, getting back from a one-year suspension for performance-enhancing medicine, struggled badly with timing and output. The 26-year-old, who now drops to 24-2 (1 NC), landed handiest 54 punches throughout 12 rounds in a combat that featured probably the most lowest blended punch totals ever tracked via Compubox.

The loss throws chilly water on Garcia’s proposed rematch with Devin Haney, which have been pencilled in for later this yr. That plan now seems to be on cling – or useless altogether. “I just think that whole year off took a lot off my body, physically and mentally,” Garcia mentioned. “I’m just happy I made it into the ring and fought 12 rounds. Hats off to Rolly. He did a great job.”

Garcia used to be dropped early in the second one via a crisp left hook, then clipped once more as he fell. Though he beat the rely and fought on, he by no means recovered his rhythm or self assurance. Romero, combating below famed teacher Ismael Salas, boxed with unexpected persistence, blending frame photographs with lead hooks whilst nullifying Garcia’s signature counter left with a disciplined guard.

It used to be Garcia’s first bout since his majority resolution win over Haney closing April used to be overturned because of a failed drug take a look at. In the time since, Garcia used to be arrested for allegedly inflicting $15,000 in resort injury and suspended from WBC occasions for racist remarks on-line. A deliberate New Year’s exhibition combat in Japan used to be scrapped after he suffered a wrist harm in coaching.

Despite getting into as a 6-1 underdog, Romero outworked Garcia down the stretch and gave the impression the brisker fighter past due. The win earned him the WBA’s secondary welterweight name and might also vault him into the dialog for a Haney combat.

Haney, combating within the co-main, held up his finish with a relaxed unanimous resolution over former unified champion José Ramírez. The ratings have been 119-109 (two times) and 118-110.

The 32-0 Haney boxed cautiously however successfully, protecting the cruder Ramírez at bay with long-range counters and lateral motion. The bout used to be his first at a catchweight above 140lb and his first because the overturned Garcia combat. With Sugar Shane Mosley in his nook for the primary time, Haney confirmed composure and sharp shot variety, although the combat lacked drama or sustained exchanges.

Ramírez, a former unified champion and 2012 US Olympian, used to be not able to bring to a halt the hoop or land sustained mixtures. He dropped to 29-3.

Earlier, Teófimo López opened the tripleheader with a powerful appearing in opposition to Arnold Barboza Jr, protecting his WBO name at 140lb via a unanimous resolution (118-110, 116-112 two times).

López, who had regarded flat in fresh outings, boxed with power and keep watch over over 12 rounds, outlanding Barboza 127-71. The local of Brooklyn’s Bushwick community absorbed some blank counters – in particular in spherical six, when a sequence of blows left a mouse underneath his left eye – however answered neatly, blending sharp jabs with frame paintings and uppercuts within the later rounds.

Barboza, now 32-1, had waited years for a name shot and confirmed flashes of ability however couldn’t maintain force or crack López’s motion.

López’s referred to as out Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis post-fight, and promoter Eddie Hearn indicated {that a} showdown with the unified welterweight champion may well be subsequent. “It’s in the works,” Hearn instructed DAZN, even though no date has been finalized.

Friday’s match, staged in partnership with Ring Magazine and funded via Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, marked the primary main boxing card ever held in Times Square.

Fighters arrived via automobile from a close-by resort – Lopez in a yellow taxi, Garcia in a Batmobile. Ring card holders have been changed via impersonators of celebrities together with Hulk Hogan, Michael Jackson, Jack Nicholson and Ed Sheeran. Traffic on Seventh Avenue persisted right through the night time, with orange fencing and chain-link barricades isolating onlookers from the makeshift venue.

The novelty drew hundreds of boxing fanatics and curious vacationers, who watched from around the side road as bouts opened up below the LED cover of Manhattan’s busiest hall. At ringside, previous and provide stars – together with Mike Tyson, Terence Crawford and Shakur Stevenson – regarded on from VIP seats.

Originally, the night time used to be intended to finish with a press release for Garcia-Haney II. Instead, Garcia’s 2nd skilled setback raised severe questions on his long term within the recreation.

Haney stays unbeaten. Lopez strengthened his case for a superfight. And Romero would possibly now have extra momentum, and extra choices, than both of them.