Latest news with #RolandoRomero
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ryan Garcia sidelined with hand injury as woes build
Boxer Ryan Garcia has undergone hand surgery for an injury reported during training for his recent fight against Rolando Romero in New York. Garcia, 24-2 (20) with one no-contest, will not be able to train for six weeks following surgery for an as-yet-unknown problem. It has also been reported by multiple outlets that the California fighter had multiple cortisone injections in the runup to the fight rather than having the event called off. The injury is understood to be to his right hand. Catch all the latest boxing action on DAZN Garcia's last fight saw him lose a twelve-round decision to Roland 'Rolly' Romero at Times Square in New York in what was considered to be an upset. According to Compubox, which counts the number and types of punches thrown during a fight, Garcia landed only 17.5 punches per round and threw a total of 48 power punches. Garcia was also knocked down in the second round. 5/2 DAZN- Romero W 12 Garcia Romero pulls off the huge upset, dropping Garcia and out working him all fight. 45 of Romero's 57 landed punches were body shots. Their 490 combined punches thrown was 3rd fewest in a 12-round fight in CompuBox 40-yr. history, surpassing Haney &… — CompuBox (@CompuBox) May 3, 2025 Dr Stephen Shin, who has performed similar surgeries on Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Vasyl Lomachenko, is understood to be working with Garcia in order to return him to full health. Shin is currently a professor of orthopaedic surgery at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. This tallies with the knowledge that Garcia is currently under a thirty-day suspension with the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). In an email to The Independent, NYSAC confirmed that Garcia would need orthopaedic clearance before he would be allowed to return to the ring. The roadmap for Garcia after the New York event had been for him to face Devin Haney in a fight later this year. Haney, 32-0 (15), beat Jose Carlos Ramirez by unanimous decision on the same card. The two fighters, who fought last year in a bout that was later declared a no-contest due to a failed drugs test from Garcia, were set to rematch each other later in 2025. Those plans, which were swiped by Garcia's loss to Romero, now seem to have moved further away with news of Garcia's injury, the surgery required to fix it, and the recuperation. And recent days have seen promoter Oscar De La Hoya intimate that rather than face Haney, that Garcia would move instead towards a rematch with Romero. DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Under the radar - are Rolando Romero, Arnold Barboza, and Jose Ramirez not being taken seriously by their big-name opponents?
Three of the biggest stars in American boxing will be in action in Times Square this Friday, with Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez all duking it out live on DAZN PPV. , whilst Devin Haney takes on Jose Ramirez. . But despite all having dance partners for their date in Times Square, all three have appeared more focused on throwing barbs at each other rather than their scheduled opponents. Ryan Garcia already looking to Devin Haney rematch Although Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero are evenly matched when it comes to trash talking, many pundits believe that 'King Ry' will prove too much for Rolly, even though his opponent is a former world champion. Romero claimed the WBA super-lightweight belt with a TKO victory over Ismael Barroso in May 2023, but his reign as a world titlist was ended in his next fight, when Isaac Cruz managed an eighth-round stoppage in March 2024. One variable that adds a layer of intrigue to the contest is the fact that both fighters will be moving up to 147lbs for the first time in their careers. Garcia and Romero had looked to fight at 140 pounds last year, before King Ry pivoted away from those negotiations to set up his fight with Devin Haney. When Garcia has not been making comments directed at Haney, he has dismissed Romero's chances in the build-up to their bout. He believes that Rolly has not improved as a boxer over the years, whilst also claiming that Romero's chin has weakened after two technical knockout defeats. Whilst it is common for boxers to diminish their upcoming opponents in the lead up to fight night, it appears that Garcia and Haney seem more focused on their proposed rematch for later this year. Garcia shared on DAZN: 'I've got a huge fight coming up next, so I've got to take him (Romero) as serious as if I was fighting Devin (Haney).' Jose Ramirez calls out media for lack of respect Devin Haney has definitely been drawn into continuing his war of words with Ryan Garcia throughout the lead up, repeatedly calling out King Ry for his positive test for ostarine. However, Haney appears to respect his opponent on Friday, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Jose Ramirez. The 32-year-old believes that Haney is more aware of Ramirez's chances of winning than the media, claiming that he has been written off by the press. During a recent press conference moderated by DAZN's Todd Grisham, Ramirez explained: 'It's crazy how Devin Haney has more respect for me than the media. You know, calling [for] Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney 2, and the fight hasn't even happened between me and Devin Haney. "And he's over here saying, 'I have to go past Ramirez first,' before you guys even say it. You guys said it at the press conference a couple times. You know, I just hope if, God willing, everything goes my way May 2nd, we'll see if Ryan Garcia fights me next. You know, we'll see about that.' Teofimo Lopez still focused on super lightweight division On paper, Teofimo Lopez has the hardest opponent out of the three A-side fighters. 'The Takeover' is currently set on defending his WBO title at super lightweight before stepping up and joining his contemporaries Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia at welterweight. Make no mistake – Lopez is very keen on facing Garcia or Haney in the near future, but the Olympian is acutely aware that he must first contend with the challenge of Arnold Barboza Jr. Barboza enters the bout with an impressive 32 wins without a defeat, making him more experienced as a professional than any fighter on Friday's card. There is clearly a bit of needle between the pair, with Lopez slapping Barboza at a face-off earlier this year.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Final press conference for Times Square boxing descends into slanging match between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney
The final press conference before Friday's boxing at Times Square in New York devolved yesterday into a slanging match between the Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney camps. The two camps, who are not facing each other as opponents have a long and torrid history of baiting the other side. Garcia and Devin Haney fought each other in April last year, with Garcia initially winning a majority decision over twelve rounds. However, the fight's result was switched to a no-contest after Garcia failed a PED test for ostarine. On Friday, the two fighters will share the same card, with Garcia fighting Rolando Romero and Devin Haney facing off against Jose Carlos Ramirez. Since their fight last year, the two sides have frequently traded barbs, with Devin Haney's father Bill openly questioning Garcia's changed physique following the failed test. On the dais this week at the final press conference, Garcia was questioned about the rivalry between he and Devin Haney. Haney's father, it was put to him, had reignited the enmity the day before. Garcia responded: 'He was coming at my physique, but it's all good. They were saying the same thing last time, and they got their ass whupped last time, too. They're going to get their ass whupped again.' Garcia continued: 'Jose's got that left hook, too!' Eventually, Billy Haney responded by asking what had happened to Garcia. 'What the hell happened to Ryan Garcia? This is not the same Garcia at all,' he said. Garcia said that the Haneys did not want to see his 'crazy' personalities before launching into a string of insults at the two. The elder Haney then referred to Garcia's failed test for ostarine last year. Garcia responded by mentioning Victor Conte, who formerly ran the steroid operation known as BALCO, before telling Bill Haney to 'shut the **** up'. Despite the emcee attempting to move the conversation along by pivoting to Garcia's coach Derrick James, the elder Haney pushed still against Garcia. Haney said to Garcia's coach Derrick James: 'Are you going to be the one that's doing the weight cut, because I'm confused? Are you doing the weight cut this time, sir? I know you're a legendary trainer, and I love you to death, but is Derrick James doing the weight cut this time so there's no confusion? I'm just asking for the Romero team.' James responded by just saying that everything was 'good'. Bill Haney referred again to Garcia's failed PED test from last year, asking whether the fighter would be 'clean' for the fight this weekend. Garcia responded: 'It's the same type of **** he said last time. You already got your ass kicked last time. I don't really got much to say. Your son got ****ed up already. What is there to say? You already got ****** up.'
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero: A rivalry forged in sparring to be finally settled in the ring
Ryan Garcia and Rolando 'Rolly' Romero have been circling each other for years. Their rivalry bubbling beneath the surface of the boxing world. Now, on May 2, they will finally meet under the bright lights of Times Square — a fitting stage for two fighters with unfinished business. A Viral Beginning Their animosity dates back to a fiery sparring session at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas, when both were rising stars under the tutelage of boxing royalty — Garcia under Oscar De La Hoya and Romero under Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 2018 footage spread rapidly online sparking intense discussion amongst fans. The viral clip shows the two in the midst of an intense sparring session. Romero is in pursuit of Garcia, throwing wild shots to the head and body, making him look uncomfortable on his back foot - unable too keep 'Rolly' at range. Garcia was able to land sharp jabs and counter shots, but it was not enough to stop the Las Vegas native from closing the distance and using his physicality to push Garcia against the ropes and unload at close range. While the sparring was just that — it gave Romero the early bragging rights. 'I did beat the shit out of him both days,' Romero told BoxingScene. 'But it doesn't matter. It's just sparring.' Garcia, for his part, has been disparaging of the footage. 'We sparred about eight years ago,' he said at a recent press conference. 'It was a little rough... but he continued to use that sparring to boost his career, credit to him.' From Trash Talk to Mutual Respect Years of jabs on social media followed, with both fighters pushing for a real fight to settle the score. In late 2023, Garcia called out Romero after a victory over Oscar Duarte, and Romero echoed the sentiment after capturing the WBA junior welterweight title, saying their bout was 'a fight that everybody has been asking for forever.' Despite the momentum the two once again diverged with Garcia choosing Haney and Romero fighting Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz. The fight only materialised when Garcia's original opponent for the 3rd of May, 'Pitbull' Cruz, pulled out — and Romero picked up the phone. 'I just made a phone call,' he said to BoxingScene. 'There were no other options.' Surprisingly, the lead-up to the fight has taken a softer turn. Behind the bravado, the pair appear to have buried the hatchet. Romero revealed that he reached out to Garcia during his public struggles with mental health — a gesture that resonated deeply. 'I DM'd Ryan and asked for his number,' Romero told BoxingScene. 'He said no at first, but I told him some things are bigger than boxing. We talked and we've been good ever since.' There has of course been the mandatory name calling in the build-up, with Garcia calling Romero a clout chaser and 'Rolly' insisting that 'Kingry' just wants to be a model. Selling a fight comes as part of the package for a boxer and whilst they may throw schoolboy insults at each other, they have both made clear the respect they hold for one another as fighters. Their clash in Times Square promises fireworks, but it's no longer driven by hatred. What began as a bitter feud born from sparring footage has evolved into something more nuanced — two fighters bound by mutual respect and a shared history.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
12-year-old migrant with Tren de Aragua ties busted in attack on NYPD cops in Times Square
A 12-year-old migrant boy with Tren de Aragua ties was arrested in a Times Square attack on a pair of NYPD police officers who were protecting two other kids from being robbed, police sources said Monday. The same boy made headlines last year when he was arrested at age 11 in connection with a string of Central Park robberies in which a number of people had their cell phones stolen, police sources said. The 12-year-old has ties to Diablos de la 42, or Devils of 42nd St, an off-shoot of Tren de Aragua, according to police sources. In the Times Square episode, the two officers saw a group trying to rob two kids at W. 42nd St. and Eighth Ave about 7:35 p.m. Friday. and moved in to break it up. The group then turned on them, leaving the cops with minor injuries. Two in the crowd threw items at the officers, including what appear to be a large rubber ball, video posted on X by Viral News NYC shows. An open-air boxing match in which Rolando Romero defeated Ryan Garcia had concluded in Times Square when the mayhem broke out. Four suspects were nabbed, including the boy, who police sources said runs with a local off-shoot of Tren de Aragua, the notorious Venezuelan gang that has come under renewed fire amid President Trump's sweeping deportation agenda. The suspects, all boys, were hit with various charges. The suspects have been staying at nearby hotels housing migrants seeking asylum, sources said. An 18-year-old and a 17-year-old were charged with obstructing governmental administration, rioting and menacing, with the 17-year-old additionally charged with attempted assault of a police officer and reckless endangerment. Charges against the 12-year-old and a 14-year-old boy weren't clear. At least two others are still on the loose. Some in the group of at least six were already being sought for a string of robberies in Central Park, police sources said. The pattern dates back to last year, when the 12-year-old, then 11, was charged. The disposition of the case against the boy was not immediately clear. The NYPD, responding to questions about the Times Square assault, said in a statement that assaults against police officers 'will not be tolerated.' 'This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that NYPD police officers face every day while working to keep New Yorkers safe,' the statement said. Two weeks ago, federal authorities announced more than two dozen New York City Tren de Aragua members, all migrants from Venezuela, had been been arrested on federal murder, racketeering, drug and sex trafficking charges.
