NEW YORK — An exciting boxing event is slated to take over Times Square on May 2, showcasing a thrilling tripleheader filled with returning champions and intense bouts. Scheduled for this iconic location are the comebacks of Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney, alongside a title defense by Teofimo Lopez.
The much-anticipated card was revealed by Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season and the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia. This event marks the highly-awaited return of both Garcia and Haney to New York, with their last appearance dating back to 2024 at Barclay Center in Brooklyn. Their previous encounter concluded with Garcia claiming a victory—later nullified and marked as a no-contest after his positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, which led to a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission.
Should both fighters emerge victorious in their upcoming matches, it could pave the way for a high-stakes rematch.
Garcia, boasting a record of 24 wins with 20 knockouts and 1 loss, will headline the Ring Magazine “Fatal Fury: City of The Wolves” card. He is set to face Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who holds a record of 16 wins, 2 losses, and 13 knockouts. Romero last fought in New York in 2022, where he was stopped by lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.
Meanwhile, Haney, undefeated with 31 wins and 15 knockouts, is making a move up to the welterweight division as he prepares to take on Jose Ramirez. Ramirez carries an impressive record of 29 wins, 2 losses, and 18 knockouts. Both former champions at 140 pounds are expected to deliver a captivating showdown.
In their previous clash, Garcia managed to knock Haney down three times, securing a narrow victory via majority decision. However, Garcia was ineligible to claim Haney’s title then as he exceeded the 140-pound weight limit by more than three pounds.
The night of boxing will commence with Lopez returning to his roots in his hometown. He is set to defend his WBO junior welterweight title against the undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr., who has a spotless record of 32 wins with 11 knockouts.
Additional details, particularly regarding the venue arrangement in the bustling New York locale, remain under wraps. The eagerly awaited event will be available for viewing on pay-per-view.
