Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) pulled off a big upset, beating Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) by a 12-round unanimous decision in the main event in a welterweight fight on the Fatal Fury card in Times Square in New York City.
Rolly dropped Ryan with a left hook in the second round. Ryan never came back from that knockdown because he looked like he was afraid to unload his left hook due to the potential of being caught again.
The scores were 115-112, 115-112, 118-109.
“Knockdowns always help a fight. I’m not even thinking about what’s next. I think Ryan and Devin should get their rematch and get a big one,” said Rolly after the fight.
“Rolly caught me early. No excuses. I just think the whole year took a lot out of my body,” said Ryan Garcia after the fight. ”
Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) put the fans to sleep with a low-output performance, beating former unified light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez (29-3, 18 KOs) by a lackluster 12-round unanimous decision in the co-feature bout on Saturday night at Times Square. The scores were 119-109, 119-109, and 118-110. Those were fair scores. Ramirez looked slow and gun-shy throughout.
It was not the “statement” fight that Haney had promised to set up the rematch with Ryan Garcia in October. Devin moved laterally all night, clinching whenever Ramirez would get close, and throwing single jabs. Haney seemed afraid of getting hit the entire fight. Even in the later rounds, it was clear that he had the victory in the bag, he wasn’t throwing.
WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) retained his title with a Shakur-esque style boring 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-1, 11 KOs). The scores were 116-112, 116-112, and 118-110.
Teofimo spent most of the fight moving, showboating and throwing almost nothing. When Barboza would attempt to land, Teofimo would retreat and change direction. In the sixth, Barboza Jr. landed a big right hand, staggering Teofimo and almost dropping him.
Teo’s left eye swelled from that punch. For the remainder of the fight, Lopez moved, trying to evade attacks from Arnold, and occasionally landing a single shot. The crowd was quiet throughout the contest due to Lopez’s defensive approach. The fight appeared to be razor-close and nowhere near the scores turned in by the judges.
Reito Tsutsumi emerges victorious over Levale Whittington, dominating the fight to secure a unanimous decision with scores of 60-54, 60-54, 58-56. Tsutsumi’s unrelenting drive left no room for doubt as he claimed the win in commanding fashion.
James Gennari overpowers Joel Allen, earning a decisive unanimous decision victory. Gennari’s relentless pursuit of victory sealed the deal, with the judges recognizing his control throughout the fight.