New York — What was intended to be a thrilling boxing event in Times Square on Friday night turned into a disappointing spectacle, leaving fans craving excitement. Anticipation had been high for a potential rematch between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. However, those hopes were dashed when Rolando “Rolly” Romero shocked the audience by defeating Garcia in a unanimous decision, despite Garcia entering as a heavy favorite.
Garcia’s return to the ring, after a year-long suspension for a failed drug test, did not go as planned. He was favored at -1000 on ESPN BET but struggled to find his rhythm against Romero. The main event proved to be dull, with Garcia unable to unleash his signature left hook throughout the 12-round bout, ultimately leading to an uninspired performance.
Romero, who had previously suffered a knockout loss to Isaac Cruz in 2024, displayed a strategic approach that caught Garcia off guard early on. He knocked Garcia down in the second round, setting the tone for the fight. Although Garcia seemed physically intact after the fall, the knockdown shifted his mentality, and he fought the remainder of the match in a defensive posture. The fight resulted in the third-lowest punch output recorded by CompuBox in a 12-round contest, with only 123 punches landed out of 490 thrown—a stark contrast to the action that fans had hoped to see.
After the fight, Garcia acknowledged Romero’s performance. “He fought a good fight,” Garcia said. “No excuses, man. Congrats to him. He did a great job.” Despite his defeat, Garcia may have to reconsider his strategy moving forward, as his ability to secure a knockout failed to materialize.
In an unexpected twist, Romero, who celebrated his victory, expressed hope for a Garcia-Haney rematch. “I ain’t even thinking about what’s next,” he stated. “I think Devin and Ryan should get their rematch and make a big one.” His comments underscored a lingering desire among fans to witness the anticipated matchup, regardless of Friday’s lackluster performances.
The co-main event featuring Devin Haney was similarly unimpressive. Haney faced off against a lackluster opponent who failed to seize the moment, leaving Haney to merely navigate the rounds without much threat. While Haney maintains an undefeated record, his performance left many questioning whether he has fully recovered from past challenges, including a contentious bout against Garcia that ended in controversy after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance.
Throughout Haney’s fight, a total of 503 punches were thrown, with Haney landing a mere 70 to his opponent’s 40, indicating a reluctance from both fighters to engage in meaningful exchanges. Viewers expressed their frustration on social media, highlighting the absence of urgency and excitement in what was promoted as a high-stakes event.
With a contract reportedly signed ahead of Friday night, the future of a Garcia-Haney rematch remains uncertain. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see whether the fighters will fulfill those expectations or if organizers will pivot to explore other matchups. The lack of fireworks on Friday night left an unsettling feeling, as a small crowd of adventurous fans gathered in a makeshift venue where anticipation quickly turned to disappointment.