NEW YORK — Friday night in Times Square promised excitement but ended in disappointment for boxing fans as a highly anticipated card failed to deliver. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney, both set to win and face each other later in the year, saw plans derail dramatically. While Haney managed a decision victory in his fight, Garcia faced a shocking upset at the hands of Rolando “Rolly” Romero, who claimed a decisive win by unanimous decision.
Garcia, returning to the ring after a one-year suspension following a positive drug test, was heavily favored against Romero, listed at -1000 prior to the bout. However, he struggled to find his rhythm throughout the fight, unable to unleash his notorious left hook or generate significant offense. Instead, the fight fell flat, with both fighters exhibiting a reluctance to engage, leading to one of the lowest punch outputs in a 12-round fight in recent history.
Romero seized control early, dropping Garcia with a left hook in the second round. Although Garcia appeared unfazed physically, the knockdown shifted the fight’s momentum, transforming him into a cautious competitor rather than the aggressive fighter fans were expecting. The bout ended with starkly low statistics: only 123 punches were successfully landed out of 490 thrown, ranking as the third-lowest total recorded by CompuBox for a 12-round match.
In a post-fight reflection, Garcia complimented Romero’s performance, acknowledging the early setback. “He fought a good fight,” Garcia stated. “No excuses, man. Congrats to him.” While Garcia attempted to reestablish some control with his jab, Romero remained disciplined, avoiding reckless exchanges and focusing on maintaining distance. This strategic composure notably contrasted with Romero’s previous fight, where he was knocked out by Isaac Cruz in 2024.
Despite his victory, Romero expressed a desire for a Garcia-Haney rematch later this year, perhaps unusually so for a fighter who had just pulled off an upset. “I ain’t even thinking about what’s next. I think Devin and Ryan should get their rematch and make a big one,” he said.
The card, designed to be a memorable event, ultimately felt uninspired. Spectators gathered in the makeshift arena in Times Square as people outside watch on giant screens. Hopes for fireworks were dashed as Garcia’s uninspired performance, coupled with the lack of action, overshadowed the event.
Haney’s fight against his opponent, who posed little threat, ended with a similarly lackluster decision. Despite holding a clean record of 32 wins and only one no contest, Haney’s reluctance to throw punches raised concerns among fans. His opponent seemed content to merely pursue him around the ring, which did little to elevate the fight’s excitement level, leaving both the live audience and viewers at home disheartened.
Although Haney succeeded in landing a higher number of punches than his opponent, the fight was criticized for being slow-paced and dull, further fueling questions about the potential Garcia-Haney rematch. A contract for a clash later this year was reportedly signed prior to the fights, but the disappointing outcomes may force decision-makers to reassess the prospects for both fighters’ next steps.
As expectations for matchups shift, the boxing world remains in anticipation of whether the proposed rematch will come to fruition or if the promoters will divert their plans following a night that lacked the dynamism fans crave.
