Romero’s Power Tells The Story: Garcia Knocked Down And Ultimately Outpointed In Main Event Battle

Welterweight Ryan ‘King Ry’ Garcia, 24-2 (20), was defeated by former WBA 140-lb champ Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, 17-2 (13), by a 12-round unanimous decision in the main event at Times Square in New York City. Romero scored a second-round knockdown.

Fifteen seconds into the second round, a double left hook from Romero on the chin dropped Garcia for an 8-count from referee Ricky Gonzalez. Garcia recovered well enough to take it to Romero, mostly landing his jab. In the third round, Garcia managed to come back well enough to use an effective jab, with Romero not going after him, instead trying to match him jab for jab, and barely taking the round.

In the fourth and fifth rounds, Garcia seemed clear-headed and outworked Romero, taking both rounds. In the seventh and eighth rounds, Romero continued out-landing Garcia, keeping him on the receiving end for the most part.

In the ninth round after a minute there was a good exchange that didn’t last long but finally some excitement for the fans with Ramirez having the edge. In the tenth rounds final minute Romero rocked Garcia having him holding on. Romero had his way but couldn’t finish him off when he had him in trouble.

In the eleventh round, Romero stayed on top of Garcia but without landing anything to hurt Garcia. It was close in the twelfth and final round, making the scoring unpredictable.

Scores were 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109.

In the co-main event, former WBC Super Light champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney, 32-0-1nc-nd (15) defeated former WBC and WBO 140-lb champ Jose Carlos Ramirez, 29-3 (18) by a 12-round unanimous decision.

In the first round Ramirez outworked Haney. In the second rounds halfway point Haney worked his jab sticking and moving keeping Ramirez from having much in return for the most part.

In the third round, Haney’s one shoe started to come apart, causing a delay in the action. Finally got it taped, and Haney returned to outland Ramirez. In the fifth round, Ramirez finally started landing a couple of punches in the first minute with Haney slowing down, but Haney got on his bike, countering enough to win another round. The fans are asking for more action, especially from Ramirez.

In the seventh round’s final seconds, Ramirez finally landed a left hook to the chin of Haney. He had not been able to cut off the ring off until then. From the eighth through the eleventh rounds, Haney keeps on the move, not allowing Ramirez to land much of anything.

In the twelfth and final round Ramirez landed a double left hook to the body at end of first minute. Haney kept moving countering whenever Ramirez catches up to him.

WBO World Super Lightweight champion Teofimo ‘The Takeover’ Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) defeated WBO Interim Super Lightweight champion Arnold Barboza, Jr (32-1, 11 KOs). by a 12-round unanimous decision.

In the first two rounds, Lopez did enough to outland Barboza for the most part. From the third through the fifth rounds, Barboza followed Lopez around the ring, getting countered.

In the sixth round, Barboza finally did enough to win. From the seventh through the ninth, it was close, with Lopez doing more countering than Barboza coming forward. In the tenth round, Lopez came forward for a change, taking it to Barboza.

In the eleventh round Lopez continued outworking Barboza. In the twelfth and final round though well ahead Lopez kept coming forward for the most part looking like the winner.

Scores 116-112 twice and 118-110. Referee Eric Dali.

Super featherweight Levale Whittington, 1-3-1 (1) lost to southpaw Reito Tsutsumi, 1-0) by a six-round unanimous decision.

Scores 60-54 twice and 58-56. Charlie Fitch was the referee. The ring announcer Michael Buffer.