In the Fatal Fury Times Square main event, Ryan Garcia returned from a one-year suspension for a scrap with 16-2 standout Rolando Romero.
Round 1
Both fighters come out jabbing early and sizing up one another. Romero jabs to the body, and Garcia fires one back at him. Garcia lands a couple more jabs and follows it up with one to the body of his opponent. Romero throws a one-two before ripping to the body. Garcia throws another jab, and the round comes to a close with both men still downloading information.
Round 2
Romero comes out and immediately lands a double left hook that sends Garcia crashing to the canvas. Garcia answers the referee’s count, and Romero comes out hot, looking to capitalize on the moment. They exchange hooks, and Romero rips to the body. Romero throws a clubbing right hand over the top. Garcia goes back to the jab as Romero fires one back to the body. Garcia fishes for a left hook late in the round, but can’t land one before the bell.
Round 3
Garcia throws a left to start the round. Romero fires back with a jab to the body. Both fighters are a bit more cautious in the third after the events of the second stanza. Garcia double jabs, but he’s out of range. Garcia switches it up and goes to the body before coming back up top. They tie up with 30 seconds to go in the round, prompting a break. Garcia lands a jab to Romero’s midsection. Romero just misses the mark with another right hand as the round ends.
Round 4
Garcia opens the round with a jab downstairs. Romero makes Garcia swing and miss with a right hand, but Garcia connects with a hard jab near the halfway point of the fourth round. A left hand to the body from Romero hits the mark, and Garcia misses with a right hand in return. However, Garcia follows it up with a jab that lands flush on Romero’s face. Garcia closes out the round with a stiff connection via a well-placed left hand.
Round 5
Rolando Romero starts the round by offering up a slow jab to the body. Garcia counters with a combination followed by a jab. ‘King Ryan’ connects with a chopping right hand and a left hook down low. The second-round knockdown appears to have made Garcia a bit tentative, but Romero is failing to capitalize on it.
The commentary team starts comparing Garcia’s performance to Devin Haney’s lackluster showing in the co-main event, though that may be a bit premature. Still, the fireworks are few and far between.
Round 6
Rolando Romero opens up the sixth round with a lead left hook to Garcia’s body. Garcia responds with a jab followed by a left hook. Romero responds, going downstairs with a jab. Romero continues attacking the body of Garcia, landing a power jab to his opponent’s midsection. Garcia lands a jab from long range, but not much more in an otherwise lackluster middle round.
Round 7
The action halts in the seventh round with Garcia being put on his back foot for the majority of the three minutes. Still, Garcia controlled the distance with his jab, but offered little more in the way of offense.
Round 8
Garcia’s corner stresses that he needs to be more active just before the eighth round. Garcia comes out and lands a jab, but Romero fires back with one of his own downstairs. Garcia throws a punch to the top of Romero’s head. Garcia continues to pump the jab and connects with a rare right hand. The final minute sees Garcia continue to pop out his jab, but he’s still hesitant to offer up anything with power behind it.
Round 9
Rolando Romero forces Garcia onto the ropes with a blitzing attack to the body. Romero connects with a left hook at the one-minute mark of the round and follows it with a jab to Garcia’s body. Garcia flicks out a long jab that lands on Romero’s chin, but he doesn’t put anything powerful behind it. The round ends with Romero seemingly taking the round courtesy of his power strikes compared to Garcia’s potshots.
Round 10
Romero opens up the 10th with a left hand to Garcia’s body. It’s a shot that has worked for the fighter throughout the scrap. Romero throws a combination in close, punctuated by a left hook that lands clean on Garcia. ‘King Ryan’ is still throwing next to no power strikes in the relatively low-output affair.
Romero keeps up the pressure with a right hand downstairs, followed by a right up top. Garcia tucks into his guard and offers zero response as we head to the penultimate round.
Round 11
Derrick James is urging Ryan Garcia to start letting his hands go, as ‘King Ryan’ might need a knockout to win the fight. At the very least, he needs to win the last two rounds, but Garcia shows no urgency. Romero lands a body shot, and it looks like James’ advice has fallen on deaf ears. Romero is easily winning the 11th round with his body blows. Garcia has barely thrown anything with a minute to go in the round. Romero closes out the stanza with another heavy body shot.
Round 12
Garcia attempts to land a left hook but falls short. Romero fires a left hand to the body that connects. Garcia partially connects with another left attempt, but with two minutes to go in the fight, Romero is the one landing. Romero punishes Garcia with another left, and there’s still no urgency from Garcia, who seems content with losing.
60 seconds to go, and Romero is the one who is pushing the action with his left hand and putting Garcia on his bicycle. More left hands downstairs from Romero.
Official Result: Rolando Romero def. Ryan Garcia via unanimous decision (115-112, 115-112, 118-109)
Check Out Highlights From Ryan Garcia vs. Roland Romero:
ROLLY ROMERO DROPS RYAN GARCIA IN THE SECOND ROUND! #GarciaRomeropic.twitter.com/QphLT5xBs5
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 3, 2025
This whole card was a disgrace!
Ryan Garcia fraud checked ✅ #GarciaRomero pic.twitter.com/0e0SklzFVJ— Ezee (@EzeemmaCraic) May 3, 2025
They was tryna play with Rolly ass all week like he don’t got bricks😂😂😂#GarciaRomero pic.twitter.com/LgIk3XPBMG
— theONE (@RPTwenty) May 3, 2025
UPSET IN TIMES SQUARE!! 🤯#GarciaRomero | Powered by @FATALFURY_PR City of Wolves | @SNKPofficial | @ringmagazine pic.twitter.com/P4SqmYTkdO
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2025
Ryan Garcia’s immediate reaction to his SHOCK defeat to Rolly Romero…
🎬 @ringmagazine #GarciaRomero | #RyanGarcia | #BoxingFans pic.twitter.com/1wREYVGX7s
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) May 3, 2025
