Ryan Garcia Upset By Rolly Romero At Unusual Venue

It was quite the scene in New York City on Friday night: a boxing ring was set up in the center of Times Square. The main event on the card featured Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero. Michael Buffer was the ring announcer and all-time great Mike Tyson assisted with commentary. Garcia rolled up in the passenger seat of the Batmobile with NYPD surrounding it as it made its way to the ring. His performance was not Batman-like, however. 

Garcia vs. Romero Round-By-Round Breakdown

Round 1

Garcia starts the fight trying to establish the jab. Slow start, but these fighters are known for fireworks. 

10-9 Garcia

Round 2

Garcia was knocked down in the first minute by a left hook from Romero. They go back and forth to end the round. 

10-8 Romero

19-18 Romero

Round 3

A combination landed by Garcia early. Slower pace in this round. 

10-9 Garcia 

28-28 through 3 rounds 

Round 4

Garcia connects with a jab but misses with a right hand. Later on, a jab lands on the face of Romero. 

10-9 Garcia

38-37 Garcia

Round 5

Romero connects with a jab, but Garcia counters with a combination. Garcia’s jab is followed by a right hand and a left hook. Garcia hasn’t looked impressive through the 5th.

10-9 Garcia 

48-46 Garcia 

Round 6

Romero starts the 6th round with a lead left hook. Garcia connects with a jab followed by a left hook. Back and forth round, but Romero does more. 

10-9 Romero 

57-56 Garcia 

Round 7

Not much action again in this round, but a better round for Garcia, with him using the jab. 

10-9 Romero

66-66 

Round 8

Garcia’s trainer tells him to be more active. Rolly counters a jab from Ryan. Garcia aims for the top of Romero’s head and throws more jabs. He hasn’t let his power punches fly. 

10-9 Garcia 

76-75 Garcia

Round 9

Romero gets Garcia to the ropes with mostly body shots. Left hook lands. Garcia lands a jab to the face, but still no power punches that follow. 

10-9 Romero

85-85

Round 10

Romero is simply doing more than Garcia at this point and is beginning to open the gap. He opens the round with a left to the body. Garcia is not being active, and it is costing him with two rounds to go. 

10-9 Romero

95-94 Romero

Round 11

Garcia is hearing it from his trainer. He may need a knockout to win this fight because he is losing on most scorecards. Romero lands another body shot. Garcia still not throwing punches. 

10-9 Romero

105-103 Romero

Round 12

Garcia unsuccessfully throws a left hook. Romero lands a left hand. Garcia has yet to show a sense of urgency. Rolly is the only one being active as this fight comes to an end. 

10-9 Romero

My final score: 15-112 Romero

Romero Wins

“Rolly” Romero upsets Garcia by unanimous decision in the heart of New York City. The judges scored the fight 115-112, 115-112, 118-109. 

Looking Ahead

The plan was for Garcia, 26, to have a rematch with Devin Haney, who won his fight earlier in the evening. With Garcia’s loss, that may be in jeopardy. Big names were in NYC for the fight, including Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya and New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns.

Garcia’s suspension was lifted by the New York State Athletic Commission prior to his fight with Romero. He was banned for a year after the banned substance Ostarine was found in samples leading up to his fight with Haney. He had to surrender his entire purse from that bout as well as submit to randomized drug tests. We’ll see if they fight again as intended. 

This was the first of two events scheduled for this weekend, with Canelo Alvarez taking on William Scull in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.