Boxing
Rolly Romero might have played spoiler to Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney rematch by defeating Garcia by unanimous decision
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All fight week long, Rolando 'Rolly' Romero told anyone who would listen that his old sparring sessions with Ryan Garcia were lopsided affairs in his favor.Â
Romero also sat back and patiently listened to rivals Garcia and Devin Haney talk trash to each other, vowing to make statements in their respective fights so they could face each other in a heated grudge match as if the rematch was already a foregone conclusion.
However, when The Ring’s Fatal Fury: Times Square in New York City rolled around Friday night, it was Romero making the statement by playing the role of spoiler.
Romero detonated a devastating left hook to drop Garcia with a thud in the second round and took control of the fight late by committing to a stab jab to the body.
The result was a unanimous decision upset in Romero's favor. Judges in Times Square scored it 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109 all in Romero's favor. DAZN News had it closer at 114-113 for Romero, crediting Garcia's lightning quick jab, though the stick faded late.
The final punch stats showed Romero as the aggressor, throwing 267 punches to Garcia's 207 but landing 11 less total punches than "King Ry."
Though Romero shocked Garcia with that second-round knockdown, "King Ry" rebounded admirably behind the jab, digging his way back into the fight and arguably taking the lead.
That said, Romero regained control behind a stab jab to Garcia's body in a punch he stayed consistent with until the end of the fight.
The punch allowed him to force Garcia to constantly reset his offense en route to Romero's big win.
Garcia was returning from a one-year suspension after failing a drug test following his fight with Haney last spring.
Earlier on Friday night, Haney defeated Jose Ramirez by unanimous decision.
Despite arguably playing spoiler to the Garcia-Haney rematch, Romero voiced that he would like to see the two rivals run it back regardless.
