Boom! Times Square got a little less touristy and a whole lot more brutal Thursday night as Rolando “Rolly” Romero pulled off the upset of the year, beating Ryan Garcia in a brawl that felt like it belonged on a movie set.
Romero, the underdog with a swagger and a shoulder injury (yes, really), dropped Garcia early and never looked back.
This wasn’t just another fight. It was the fight—glowing billboards, swarming crowds, and a vibe that screamed blockbuster. The WBA Regular welterweight title was on the line, and while many bet big on Garcia, it was Rolly who delivered the jaw-drop moment.
Round 2? Bang—double lead hook. Garcia hit the canvas.
From there, Romero kept things spicy. According to TalkSport, he dislocated his shoulder during warm-ups. Did that stop him? Nope. He fought through it like an action hero on a caffeine bender.
“I knew I had him,” Romero said post-fight, practically grinning through the pain. “I hurt my shoulder, but I pushed through. That’s what champs do.”
Garcia, the social media darling with over 10 million Instagram followers and a punch faster than your Wi-Fi, just couldn’t get into gear. He landed only 54 punches the entire night, as noted by The Guardian.
And no, he didn’t make excuses. The Sun caught him later, teary-eyed in his car, whispering “he earned it.”
Let’s be real—Garcia’s comeback story was already complicated. This was his first fight back after a year-long suspension for testing positive for ostarine, a banned substance.
Add to that the pressure of fighting in the heart of New York City, with more cameras than a Kardashian vacation, and yeah—it was a tough night.
Romero’s win now bumps his record to 17–2. And with that WBA belt strapped around his waist, he’s suddenly the guy everyone wants a piece of.
The Guardian, confirmed the stunning result, and honestly, the boxing world won’t stop talking about it for a while.
Oh, and the night didn’t end with Romero. Devin Haney also stepped into the ring and walked out still undefeated, cruising past José Carlos Ramírez by unanimous decision. The Guardian confirmed the clean sweep for Haney, whose sharp jab and footwork kept him firmly in control from bell to bell.
Times Square turned into boxing’s biggest stage—and Rolly Romero and Devin Haney owned it.
Garcia fans may be licking their wounds today, but hey, this is boxing. And in boxing, comebacks are just part of the script.