NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: (L-R) Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero seem earlier than Ring Journal’s … Extra
Actual, true prizefighting is headed to Instances Sq. in New York on Friday within the type of an enormous tripleheader with big implications.
Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez will probably be in motion in separate bouts, however the plan is to have this huge date function step one towards an enormous rematch and a serious assembly down the highway that can operate because the fruits of a last-man-standing idea.
The anticipation for this outside Instances Sq. card has been rising for months, and it isn’t laborious to see why. Between Garcia’s return, Haney’s step into the welterweight waters, and Lopez’s title protection, this night time seems like greater than only a assortment of fights.
It is setting the desk for a collection of defining matchups that would form the following two years of boxing’s welterweight and junior welterweight landscapes.
Here’s a take a look at the total televised card set for DAZN on Could 2 starting 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 again into the ring after his one-year suspension has added much more intrigue. I spoke to Garcia and he’s attempting to remain locked in on Romero, however he didn’t try and sidestep questions on a future Haney rematch.
Garcia acknowledged that he expects Haney to be a lot sharper in the event that they meet once more, suggesting that each fighters know one other collision course is inevitable in the event that they each deal with enterprise on Friday.
For Haney, Friday night time marks an opportunity to formally set up himself as an actual risk at 147 kilos.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 28: (L-R) Devin Haney and Jose Carlos Ramirez seem earlier than Ring … Extra
He’ll face a rugged veteran in Ramirez. Haney is strolling into this struggle free from the heavy pressure of slicing huge quantities of weight, which may make him much more harmful.
With a lot chatter about Haney’s measurement and management, Ramirez may discover himself overwhelmed by a youthful, more energizing opponent who’s aiming to dominate the brand new division proper out of the gate.
Whereas Haney and Garcia’s fights are taking prime billing, Lopez’s battle with Barboza is the one precise championship bout on the cardboard. Lopez’s WBO junior welterweight title will probably be on the road in what may very well be his last battle at 140 kilos–win or lose.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 04: Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. face off throughout a press … Extra
Barboza has been quietly constructing a powerful resume, and with Lopez exhibiting some vulnerability in previous outings, there’s an actual likelihood Barboza may wreck the rigorously constructed plans for Lopez’s future at 140 kilos — or probably 147.
Which of the opponents of the three featured fighters is being essentially the most missed?
Fairly actually, Romero is an all-action fighter, however defensively, he has some gaps that Garcia appears prone to expose–if he is again and able to return to type.
Ramirez is an all-business, tremendous skilled, however his finest days are behind him. Haney ought to look nice at 147 kilos with out the stress of a serious weight reduce. And I see him having one of many simpler nights.
Barboza might be the man who has the perfect likelihood to upset the apple cart.
Lopez has seemed susceptible in opposition to opponents most would have believed he’d run by way of, and Barboza is as robust and motivated as you’ll discover. As struggle night time attracts nearer, the stakes have gotten clearer. Be looking out for protection all through struggle week.
