NEW YORK — Traditionally, the significant boxing matches in New York took place at Madison Square Garden and, recently, at the Barclays Center. However, hosting a fight night in the bustling area of Times Square is expected to offer a totally unique atmosphere.
Oscar De La Hoya, a Hall of Fame boxer, mentioned, “We’re anticipating that around half a million people will witness this event free of charge.” His promotion company, Golden Boy Promotions, has lined up three fighters for a tripleheader scheduled for May 2.
The lineup features Ryan Garcia facing Rolando “Rolly” Romero in the main event, with a supporting clash between Devin Haney and Jose Ramirez as the co-main event. Teofimo Lopez will take on Arnold Barboza Jr. in a title bout to open the card.
Details regarding the setup, how fans will gain access, and the logistics of closing one of the busiest areas in one of the world’s busiest cities remain under wraps. “Securing the permissions required a substantial amount of money,” De La Hoya humorously commented.
The event promises to capture the attention of boxing aficionados irrespective of its location. It marks Garcia’s return after a one-year suspension due to a positive drug test for performance-enhancing substances following his previous fight against Haney. That fight, initially a majority decision win for Garcia, was reclassified as a no-contest due to the failed test. Moreover, Garcia weighed in more than 3 pounds above the 140-pound limit, leading to ineligibility for the title.
Garcia has spoken about his struggles with alcohol and smoking, asserting he has now overcome these issues as he makes his comeback. “I want to prove that you can bounce back from any setback,” Garcia stated. “I apologize for my past actions and want to dedicate myself to being a true professional in the sport.”
Both Garcia and Haney have been inactive since their last encounter; they now plan to fight at the 147-pound welterweight limit. If they both emerge victorious in their respective matches, there is talk of a potential rematch.
This event marks the first U.S. boxing card for Ring Magazine, owned by Turki Alalshikh from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Rick Reeno, the company’s chief operating officer, explained the significance, “We could have chosen any venue in New York, LA, or Las Vegas, all of which would have sold out, but we wanted to do something exceptional. In 25 years, people will remember this as ‘that extraordinary event staged in the heart of Times Square.’”
Weather conditions present a potential concern, as noted by De La Hoya, given the unpredictable nature of early May in the Northeast. “It can be a bit chilly in New York during May,” expressed Romero, who quipped about the necessity of portable heaters.
Nevertheless, De La Hoya expressed confidence in overcoming any logistical challenges, citing New York’s history of hosting large-scale events like New Year’s Eve in Times Square. “This is going to be a monumental occasion, and I’m thrilled to be involved,” De La Hoya exclaimed.
