NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: (L-R) Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero appear before Ring Magazine’s … More
Real, true prizefighting is headed to Times Square in New York on Friday in the form of a massive tripleheader with huge implications.
Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez will be in action in separate bouts, but the plan is to have this massive date serve as the first step toward a huge rematch and a major meeting down the road that will function as the culmination of a last-man-standing concept.
The anticipation for this outdoor Times Square card has been growing for months, and it isn’t hard to see why. Between Garcia’s return, Haney’s step into the welterweight waters, and Lopez’s title defense, this night feels like more than just a collection of fights.
It’s setting the table for a series of defining matchups that could shape the next two years of boxing’s welterweight and junior welterweight landscapes.
Here is a look at the full televised card set for DAZN on May 2 beginning at 6 pm ET:
- Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero – welterweight
- Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez – welterweight
- (c) Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Arnold Barboza Jr., WBO junior welterweight
- Levale Whittington vs. Reito Tsutsumi – featherweights
Garcia stepping back into the ring after his one-year suspension has added even more intrigue. I spoke to Garcia and he is trying to stay locked in on Romero, but he didn’t attempt to sidestep questions about a future Haney rematch.
Garcia acknowledged that he expects Haney to be much sharper if they meet again, suggesting that both fighters know another collision course is inevitable if they both handle business on Friday.
For Haney, Friday night marks a chance to officially establish himself as a real threat at 147 pounds.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: (L-R) Devin Haney and Jose Carlos Ramirez appear before Ring … More
He’ll face a rugged veteran in Ramirez. Haney is walking into this fight free from the heavy strain of cutting massive amounts of weight, which could make him even more dangerous.
With so much chatter about Haney’s size and control, Ramirez could find himself overwhelmed by a younger, fresher opponent who’s aiming to dominate the new division right out of the gate.
While Haney and Garcia’s fights are taking top billing, Lopez’s battle with Barboza is the only actual championship bout on the card. Lopez’s WBO junior welterweight title will be on the line in what could be his final battle at 140 pounds–win or lose.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 04: Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. face off during a press … More
Barboza has been quietly building a strong resume, and with Lopez showing some vulnerability in past outings, there’s a real chance Barboza could wreck the carefully constructed plans for Lopez’s future at 140 pounds — or potentially 147.
Which of the opponents of the three featured fighters is being the most overlooked?
Quite honestly, Romero is an all-action fighter, but defensively, he has some gaps that Garcia seems likely to expose–if he’s back and ready to return to form.
Ramirez is an all-business, super professional, but his best days are behind him. Haney should look great at 147 pounds without the stress of a major weight cut. And I see him having one of the easier nights.
Barboza is probably the guy who has the best chance to upset the apple cart.
Lopez has looked vulnerable against opponents most would have believed he’d run through, and Barboza is as tough and motivated as you’ll find. As fight night draws closer, the stakes are becoming clearer. Be on the lookout for coverage throughout fight week.
