Ryan Garcia’s nightmare year rolled on with a unanimous decision defeat to Rolly Romero in a high-profile lightweight bout at New York’s Times Square on Friday night. Returning from a doping suspension, Garcia was floored by a sharp left hook in the second round and never found his groove as Romero took control of the contest.
All three judges were practically unanimous, having Romero winning 115-112, 115-112 and a lopsided 118-109, giving Garcia only the second loss of his career, now 24-2, with 20 KOs. Romero adds value to his stock with signature victory in one of boxing’s most unique venues, an outdoor ring placed in the heart of Manhattan.
The previously scheduled Garcia-Devin Haney rematch is now up in the air. Haney did his own part by taking a clear unanimous decision from Jose Ramirez on that same card, running his undefeated record to 32-0. It was scored 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110 by the judges.
Garcia, who initially won the fight with Haney before it was overturned based on a failed drug test, said the long layoff hurt him. “I’m just excited I went and fought hard in the ring and it is me.” “We’ll go back to the drawing board.
