Times Square will be the place to be as boxing takes over New York. Headlining the historic card on May 2 will be Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero for the WBA (Regular) welterweight title. The fight airs on DAZN.
It is the first fight for Garcia (24-1) following his triumphant win against Devin Haney last year, one that soured quickly after "King Ry" tested positive for ostarine. Garcia completed a one-year suspension, with his glorious victory getting altered to a no-contest.
In the right mindset compared to where he was a year ago and with gold on the line, Garcia looks to prove he is a complete fighter.
"I did a lot of things, but for me, it was more mental," Garcia said. "Everything was mental. It took a toll on my mentality because I know I didn't take steroids or anything like that.
WATCH: Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero on DAZN
"It was tough for me to overcome that, but throughout the year I got over it, refocused myself, and got blessed with this opportunity. I felt that this is my chance to come back and show everybody I can really fight."
A former WBA super lightweight champion, Romero (16-2) competes once again for gold. A former sparring partner of Garcia's, "Rolly" is 2-2 in his last four fights. Known for making headlines on the mic, Romero has stayed relatively quiet heading into the fight.
The Ryan Garcia-Rolando Romero undercard is stacked, featuring a familiar face looking to face Garcia again and one of The Ring's top champions.
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Garcia vs. Romero card.
Devin Haney vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Haney record: 31-0
- Ramirez record: 29-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
One of the card's top fights will see Devin Haney vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez.
Haney (31-0) beat George Kambosos Jr. to become the undisputed lightweight champion. He moved in weight and beat Regis Prograis for super lightweight gold. The 26-year-old got knocked down three times and was wobbled several times more in a loss last year against Garcia, but the overturning of the result has allowed him to start fresh.
A win for Haney could mean a date with destiny against Garcia, with a rematch being floated around for later this year.
MORE: Top 12 pound-for-pound fighters in boxing
Ramirez (29-2) is a former WBC and WBO super lightweight champion. The two-time Junior Olympic National and Golden Gloves Champion failed in his bid to become undisputed against Josh Taylor in May 2021, and a recent three-fight win streak was snapped in November against Arnold Barboza Jr.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Lopez record: 20-1
- Barboza record: 32-0
- Belts at stake: WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles
Teofimo Lopez defends the WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles against Arnold Barboza Jr.
Lopez (20-1) dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to become the unified lightweight champion. Losing the belts against George Kambosos Jr., "The Takeover" moved up to 140 and has won five straight. He beat Josh Taylor for the WBO and Ring super lightweight belts.
Barboza (32-0) has beaten the likes of Jose Pedraza, Jose Carlos Ramirez, and Jack Catterall in an impressive five-fight run. The 33-year-old won the interim WBO belt against Catterall.
Levale Whittington vs. Reito Tsutsumi
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Whittington record: 1-2-1
- Tsutsumi record: N/A
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Levale Whittington faces Reito Tsutsumi.
An ambassador for The Ring, Japanese prodigy Tsutsumi makes his pro debut after winning gold in the 2021 Youth World Championships.
Whittington (1-2-1) is on a two-fight losing streak.
MORE: 25 Under 25: Ranking the best boxing prospects and champions in 2024
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero tune-in info
- Date: Friday, May 2
- Start time: 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST
- Main event start time (approx.): 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT | 2 a.m. BST | 11 am. AEST
- Location: Times Square - New York
- Live Stream: DAZN
- PPV price: $59.99 or $89.99
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero will be available on DAZN worldwide.
A DAZN monthly subscription is $19.99 on a 12-month contract. The annual subscription is $224.99.
Regarding PPV, the fight will be available for $59.99 or can be bundled with Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull the next night for $89.99. For every customer who buys the PPV, they will get a no-commitment 7-day free trial.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >