Ryan Garcia made a dramatic entrance into Times Square in a Batmobile, aiming to evoke a superhero vibe for his boxing comeback. However, his aspirations quickly dimmed when Rolando Romero knocked him down with a powerful left hand in the second round. Shortly after, Romero claimed victory over Garcia by unanimous decision in what turned out to be an eventful boxing night.
This marked Garcia’s first match following a one-year ban after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, a result that had overturned his previous win against Devin Haney. The expectation was for Garcia and Haney to both win their bouts, setting the stage for a rematch; however, only Haney fulfilled his side of the plan.
Haney secured a decisive win against Jose Ramirez, while Teofimo Lopez also triumphed over Arnold Barboza Jr. Throughout the fight, Romero grew more confident, landing harder punches as he recognised Garcia struggled to defend against his attacks. Scores of the bout were notably lopsided, with two judges scoring it 115-112 and the third at 118-109, signalling a dominant performance from Romero.
In stark contrast to the Garcia who previously dispatched Haney, the boxer in the ring that night perplexed many, stemming questions about the influence of his past substance use on his earlier success. Haney and Lopez, however, exhibited their typical skills, despite the unconventional atmosphere that differed from a standard boxing event. The traditional ring girls were replaced by actors portraying celebrities, adding a unique twist to the fight night atmosphere.
Fighters arrived in attention-grabbing vehicles, further deviating from typical boxing routines, with Lopez opting for a classic yellow taxi. Haney’s victory came from repeatedly countering Ramirez’s advances, leading to scorecards of 119-109 and 118-110.
The unique setting brought out notable figures, with the likes of Mike Tyson and Terence Crawford in attendance, despite the unusual concept of boxing in Times Square. People gathered around a fenced-in ring, while entertainment included a drummer performing between the bouts, contributing to the lively atmosphere.
The origin of this unconventional fight night can be traced back to Turki Alalshikh, who envisioned an extraordinary showcase for Ring Magazine’s inaugural boxing event in the US after acquiring it last year. This unique initiative diverted attention away from traditional venues like Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center.
Seventh Avenue remained open to traffic, creating an accessible yet contained environment around the boxing ring, which was surrounded by orange fencing. For those fortunate enough to have ringside access, the experience included reading the ticker on the ABC Studios, adding a modern twist to the age-old sport of boxing.