The first boxing event from Times Square is in the books, and it provided some surprising results.
In Ryan Garcia’s first match since his suspension was lifted, the 26-year-old was defeated by Rolly Romero in a unanimous decision, providing one of the biggest boxing upsets in recent memory. Garcia was the headliner in the Times Square event and entered as a -900 favorite, so his loss is a shocking result for the sport.
Garcia opened the night with a bang, as he entered his outdoor match in a Batmobile, a nice nod to New York.
Ryan Garcia makes his entrance to Times Square in a BATMOBILE ‼️
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN NOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Xj3abnPPRj
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
However, the tone shifted once the match began. The biggest lowlight of the fight came in the second round when Romero caught Garcia off balance and knocked him down in the ring.
RYAN GARCIA GETS DROPPED IN THE SECOND ROUND 🤯
He’s still -700 to win the fight pic.twitter.com/muPBgodmdd
— br_betting (@br_betting) May 3, 2025
While Garcia was a heavy favorite, Romero entered the fight with just two losses in his career, but this was surely the biggest win of his career. Nonetheless, the story of the night was Garcia and how his long-awaited return went sour.
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Ryan Garcia upset reactions
To no surprise, boxing fans and analysts had a lot to say about Garcia losing in his first fight since testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
RYAN GARCIA (-900) LOSES TO ROLLY ROMERO IN HIS FIRST FIGHT BACK FROM SUSPENSION 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cuZ56RJbXb
— br_betting (@br_betting) May 3, 2025
Mike Tyson and Pat McAfee’s reaction to to Rolly Romero beating Ryan Garcia 😮
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN pic.twitter.com/iB9hLnUhXm
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
Ryan Garcia, you were straight ass. Congrats Rolly 🙌🏿
— ksi (@KSI) May 3, 2025
Ryan Garcia tested positive for steroids & a lot of boxing fans brushed that off saying it didn’t have an effect in the Haney fight… how’s the drug cheat look tn
— Jon (@jonvillanueva_) May 3, 2025
Ryan Garcia might be the first boxer in history to fight worse when he isn’t doing drugs and drinking alcohol
— John (@iam_johnw) May 3, 2025
Devin Haney, who lost earlier in the night and was Garcia’s opponent in his last fight, seemed to enjoy Garcia’s struggles.
Devin Haney cannot believe his eyes watching Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero 😳
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN NOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/p2PZMdECct
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
To his credit, Garcia took his loss well, congratulating Romero in his first comments after the fight.
Ryan Garcia makes no excuses after losing to Rolly Romero ❌
Buy @FATALFURY_PR: City of the Wolves out now and watch The Ring’s Times Square card LIVE on DAZN NOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8oB39XOkME
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 3, 2025
Garcia also posted on social media that he was disappointed with the way he fought.
First want to Thank God for everything in every situation, I couldn’t do it tonight, I’m devastated and really sad that I fought the way I did. I just didn’t have it tonight felt off
I fought a lot to get here, as you know what I went thru last year was something a lot of…
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) May 3, 2025
