In the dazzling heart of New York City, Times Square became the unlikely backdrop for a dramatic night of boxing on Friday. Ryan Garcia, hoping to make a triumphant return to boxing, made a grand entrance in a Batmobile, aiming to capture the aura of a superhero. However, the narrative quickly shifted when Rolando “Rolly” Romero delivered a pulverizing left hook in the second round, sending Garcia to the canvas and leaving him staring up at the iconic Times Square billboards.
The loud, swift punches evoked echoes of comic book sound effects—wham! pow!—as Romero bested Garcia through a startling unanimous decision. Although Garcia acknowledged Romero’s powerful performance, he alluded to logistical missteps that potentially affected his readiness. He underestimated the time it would take to reach the arena in the city’s notorious traffic and noted the sparse and scattered crowd, which he felt diminished the authentic fight night atmosphere. “It felt like a sparring match,” Garcia lamented, though he refused to lean on these matters as excuses.
This fight in Times Square marked Garcia’s return after a suspension due to a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs—an incident that turned his previous win against Devin Haney into a no contest. The night was meant as a precursor to a potential Garcia-Haney rematch, contingent on both fighters winning their respective bouts. While Haney upheld his part by defeating Jose Ramirez with a unanimous decision, Garcia fell short.
Meanwhile, the event took on an extravagant flair, complete with celebrity impersonators like Snoop Dogg and Michael Jackson replacing the usual ring girls. Despite the quirky ambiance, it was Romero (who now stands at 17-2) who emerged as the most prominent face of the evening. Growing stronger and more confident with each round, Romero dominated Garcia, whose attempts to turn the tide seemed lackluster, ultimately securing a decisive win with scorecards reading 115-112 twice and 118-109 once.
Despite his triumphant upset over Garcia, Romero, who had faced a knockout defeat by Gervonta Davis in a previous title attempt, was not immediately eyeing another title shot against Haney. “I think Devin and Ryan should get their rematch and make a big one,” he suggested, hinting at unfinished business between the two other fighters.
The spirit and power displayed by Garcia earlier this year were noticeably absent on this unique night, raising questions about how much the absence of performance-enhancing drugs weighed on his performance. Reflecting on his suspension and its impacts, Garcia voiced, “I just think that whole year took a lot off my body physically and mentally.”
The spectacle continued with Teofimo Lopez, whose presence remained electrifying despite the unconventional setting. Riding a yellow cab to the makeshift arena, Lopez delivered a commendable performance, clinching a victory over Arnold Barboza Jr., moving his record to 22-1. In the presence of boxing dignitaries like Mike Tyson and other sports celebrities, Lopez lifted his arms in victory near the spot where New Yorkers ring in the New Year.
The event’s innovative concept stemmed from Turki Alalshikh, who sought something different for Ring Magazine’s first U.S. boxing event since its acquisition. Times Square, usually alive with pedestrian buzz and vehicle honks, transformed, if briefly, as cars paused only long enough for boxers’ transport.
While the Times Square spectacle was far from traditional, with public access obscured and true attendance numbers elusive, it brought a new experience to seasoned observers and casual fans alike. Even Lopez, accustomed to grand venues such as Madison Square Garden, felt the scale of the event grow as the night unfolded amidst the vibrant Manhattan lights and peculiar circumstances.