It’s still a bit of a mystery how Times Square will become an open-air boxing arena, but the quality of the upcoming event is undeniable. On May 2nd, a card featuring three high-profile fights was officially announced at a press conference in Palladium Times Square. Some of boxing’s biggest stars will compete in this event, aiming to set up even bigger matches later in the year.
From Ryan Garcia against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, to Devin Haney versus Jose Ramirez, and Teofimo Lopez Jr. against Arnold Barboza Jr., we’re breaking down each fight and ranking them by importance.
3. Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, Junior Welterweights
Garcia (24-1, 1 NC, 20 KOs) is returning to the ring after a year-long suspension, and there’s a lot of anticipation for his performance, especially after his last controversial fight.
Garcia hasn’t fought since he knocked down Haney three times in a fight he initially won by decision. However, this result was overturned to a no contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance.
With Haney also on this card, the winner of the Garcia-Romero fight, particularly if it’s the popular Garcia, could be on track to face the winner of the Haney-Ramirez bout. A rematch between Haney and Garcia in Saudi Arabia in October is a highly anticipated possibility.
Romero (16-2, 13 KOs), who lives in Las Vegas, has a strong knockout record of 81%. But the question is whether he has enough power to trouble Garcia as he moves up in weight. Romero, 29, has lost two of his last four fights, including losses to Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis by stoppage. Garcia, 26, from Los Angeles, who also lost to Davis two years ago, is known for his powerful and fast punches. This fight has the potential to be the most exciting of the night.
2. Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez, Welterweights
Haney, like Lopez, is looking to regain the spotlight after being away from the ring for over a year. Haney’s last fight was a setback in April when Garcia dropped him three times, leading to a majority decision loss. Even though Garcia missed weight and later failed a drug test, which resulted in the fight being declared a no contest, Haney still faced criticism. He struggled with Garcia’s left hook, and the loss hurt his reputation. Haney needs a convincing win to maintain his status.
This fight provides Haney, 26, from Las Vegas, an opportunity to rebuild momentum. His boxing skills should be too much for 32-year-old Ramirez. Both fighters are debuting in the welterweight division. If Haney (31-0, 1 NC, 15 KOs) can return to his form from 2023, when he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko and Regis Prograis, he will once again be considered among the top fighters.
Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), a former junior welterweight champion from Avenal, California, is fighting to revive his career after losses to Barboza and Josh Taylor. This desperation makes him a dangerous opponent.
1. Teofimo Lopez Jr. vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. for Lopez’s WBO Junior Welterweight Title
This fight is a perfect chance for Lopez to establish himself as boxing’s next big star. The sport is looking for a charismatic fighter to gain mainstream appeal, filling the void left by older stars like Canelo Alvarez (34), Terence Crawford (37), Oleksandr Usyk (38), and the retired Tyson Fury (36).
Although Garcia vs. Romero is officially the main event, Lopez is the highest-ranked fighter on the card—ESPN’s No. 1 junior welterweight. Garcia has a larger social media presence, but Lopez, 27, from Brooklyn, New York, has a clear path to raise his profile. If he beats Barboza, a title unification fight against Richardson Hitchins could be next in 2025.
However, Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) needs to perform better than in his last fight in June, where he won against Steve Claggett but didn’t impress. His win against Jamaine Ortiz a year prior was also criticized for being uneventful.
Lopez, a two-division world champion, has shown his ability to rise to the occasion, notably when he defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020. Barboza’s challenge could bring out Lopez’s best, especially on such a significant stage.
Barboza (32-0, 11 KOs), from Los Angeles, earned this title shot with his victory over Jack Catterall in England last month. Barboza, 33, won by split decision and is entering his first world title fight in top form, having also defeated former champion Jose Ramirez in November. Can he pull off an even bigger upset against Lopez?