RYAN Garcia and Rolando Romero both made weight and paraded themselves for the final time ahead of tomorrow evening’s 12-round fight in Times Square, New York.
The ceremonial event took place at New York’s Manhattan Center. Garcia-Romero is one of three main event-level fights as described by the promoters of the Ring Magazine ‘Fatal Fury’ event.
Appearing for the first time since his controversial win over Devin Haney in April 2024, Ryan Garcia, 24-1 (20 KOs), was 146.8lbs while opponent Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, 16-2 (13 KOs), came in at 146.6lbs.
Addressing his move to welterweight, Ryan Garcia said he feels much better at a weight class that he is most comfortable at. Ryan was also quizzed on the latest in his ongoing beef with Devin Haney’s father, Bill.
“I’m not going to give too much energy to that. He [Bill Haney] likes to talk a lot, but I’ve got to focus on Rolly tomorrow,” said Garcia.
Romero said that he is envisioning a long overdue “vicious knockout”, which would be quite the feat were the 29-year-old to pull it off.
Devin Haney will be eager to bounce back from his first official loss (later changed to a no-contest) and over a year out of the ring by taking on Jose Carlos Ramirez over 12 rounds. Haney, 31-0 (15 KOs), scaled 143lbs while former unified world champion Ramirez, 29-2 (18 KOs), was 143.8lbs in this catchweight affair.
“It all starts with Jose. Once I get past Jose, I’m gonna get to your boy!” teased Haney when asked about a Ryan rematch.
Wearing a mask, Teofimo Lopez, 21-1 (13 KOs), scaled 139.6lbs as he prepares to defend his WBO super-lightweight crown. This will be the third defence for ‘The Takeover’, who took the belt over from Josh Taylor in 2023.
WBO number one challenger and Interim champion at 140 pounds, Arnold Barboza Jr, 32-0 (11 KOs), weighed in at 139.8lbs. The Californian will be looking to replicate the kind of form that saw him travel to Manchester to topple Jack Catterall in a February eliminator.
After they made weight, the pair engaged in an intense staredown that was broken by security. As bespectacled Barboza pumped his fists and muscles to the crowd, Lopez, still masked, proceeded to remind him that he was winning the staring contest.
“I’m ready, both of us are ready, we’re gonna put on a show for New York City,” stated Barboza Jr.
“I want to f*****g fight, I’m tired of everyone bullying me,” responded Lopez, who needed some prompting to speak.
In a featherweight clash, Japanese debutant Reito Tsutsumi (128.8lbs) goes in against Chicago’s Levale Whittington (127.8lbs). As an amateur, Tokyo resident Tsutsumi captured gold at the 2021 Youth World Championships. Big things are expected of him as a pro.
A special ‘Battle of the Badges’ bout sees New York firefighter James Gennari go in with Joel Allen of the NY Police Department.
