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Ryan Garcia's Gotham comeback in a Batmobile falls short

Ryan Garcia's Gotham comeback in a Batmobile falls short

Time of India03-05-2025

Ryan Garcia's boxing return in New York's Times Square drew attention. Garcia arrived in a Batmobile. He lost to Rolando 'Rolly' Romero by unanimous decision. Devin Haney and Teófimo López also fought at the event. Garcia faced a suspension after a positive drug test. Garcia acknowledged Romero's win. He vowed to return to boxing.
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Boxing fans were treated to a spectacle when Ryan Garcia, WBC Interim Lightweight champion and welterweight contender from Victorville, California, made his highly anticipated return to the ring in the heart of New York City's Times Square . The event named 'Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves' is the first major boxing event held in the iconic location.'We need more events like this. Boxing felt alive in the middle of New York,' said Diego Santos , a fan about the bout on May 2, 2025.What made the moment more special was Ryan Garcia's entry. He arrived in a 1989 Batmobile , embracing the Gotham City theme and setting the tone for an unforgettable night of boxing. Despite his showmanship and charming entry, he was defeated by Rolando "Rolly" Romero via unanimous decision, with judges scoring the bout 115–112 (twice) and 118–109 in favor of Romero.The event also featured Devin Haney facing José Carlos Ramírez and Teófimo López defending his WBO junior welterweight title against Arnold Barboza Jr.Garcia's journey has not been easy. His victory over Haney was overturned to a no contest after he tested positive for 'Ostarine,' a banned substance, which led to a one-year suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission.'He's had setbacks, sure, but Ryan always gets back up. That's why we ride with him,' said another fan.In a post-fight interview, Garcia acknowledged Romero's performance, stating, "He was the better man tonight." Despite the loss, Garcia expressed determination to return stronger, saying, "This isn't the end. I'll be back."

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Women's hockey is on the rise in Pacific Northwest, with young girls excited about PWHL's arrival
Women's hockey is on the rise in Pacific Northwest, with young girls excited about PWHL's arrival

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Women's hockey is on the rise in Pacific Northwest, with young girls excited about PWHL's arrival

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Sydney Sweeney Gained 14 Kg For Boxer Christy Martin: ‘My B*obs Got Bigger, Bu*t Got Huge'
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Manny Pacquiao enshrined in boxing's Hall of Fame just as he resumes his record-setting career
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Manny Pacquiao's fighting days aren't finished yet, as he's coming out of retirement at 46 for a shot at another title next month. No matter what happens in the remaining stage, it's hard to find many better resumes than the one he already assembled in a career that landed him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday. 'And now, when I look back,' Pacquiao said, 'eight-division world champion, world titles in four different decades, oldest welterweight world champion in history, those are not just opinions. They are facts.' Pacquiao was the headline name in the class of 2025 that was enshrined during a ceremony at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. He won't be able to celebrate too long, as then it's back to training for his July 19 bout in Las Vegas against WBC champ Mario Barrios. Pacquiao didn't mention that during his speech at the end of a lengthy induction ceremony. Instead, he focused on the record-setting accomplishment of winning titles in eight weight classes, a fighter who made his pro debut in the 106-pound class and rose all the way to win a title at the 154-pound limit. 'From flyweight to junior middleweight, eight divisions,' Pacquiao said. 'Every fight, every victory was a step further from poverty. It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people.' Vinny Paz, the three-division champion formerly known as Vinny Pazienza, who overcame a broken neck sustained in a car crash to resume his career, and Michael Nunn, a champion at middleweight and super middleweight, were the other top men's fighters in the class. Women in the class included Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, Mary Jo Sanders and Cathy 'Cat' Davis, who, after filing a sex discrimination suit against the New York State Athletic Commission, became one of the first women to be granted a pro boxing license by the organisation in 1978. ALSO READ | World Boxing's membership list grows past 100 Pointing to the jewellery the inductees received, Davis said: 'I've got this beautiful ring here and I asked them to make it big enough for my middle finger, because if I ever see those old white stupid men who kept us out, you know what I'm going to do.' Kenny Bayless, who worked some of Pacquiao's biggest fights, including his loss to Floyd Mayweather and knockout of Ricky Hatton, and fellow referee Harry Gibbs, were enshrined, along with cut man Al Gavin. Broadcaster Randy Gordon, HBO producer Ross Greenburg and late boxers Rodrigo Valdez and Owen Swift rounded out the class. Pacquiao retired in 2021 with a record of 62-8-2 with 39 KOs, fighting in some of the biggest blockbusters of the 2000s. He said he always sought the toughest opponents so he could continue testing himself. That made him far richer than he could have imagined when he was raised in poverty in the Philippines. He went on to serve his country as a senator from 2016-22 and ran unsuccessfully for president, and his voice broke a bit as he thanked his fans from home along with his family. 'This is our victory,' Pacquiao said. 'This is our story and the best is yet to come.'

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