Boxing fans in the United States and across the world have confirmed they will support the biggest and best fights in the sport, evidenced by the Gervonta Davis v. Ryan Garcia matchup in April 2023, when the bout became only the seventh in history to generate over $100 million, as Davis handed Garcia the first loss of his career.
Next weekend, the sport will see arguably the most ambitious back-to-back-to-back major fight nights in many years, held in three different cities and time zones on two separate continents.
An unprecedented card in Times Square — yes, outdoors in Midtown Manhattan — will open the slate of fights on Friday, May 2, as the first ever boxing matches put on at the famous location. It will feature the aforementioned Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) battling Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) for the WBA welterweight title in the evening’s main event. Preceding that pairing, another boxing star, Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs), who has held five world titles over his career, faces Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs). Also, WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez will battle Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs).
“To be honest, I didn’t even dream about [fighting in Times Square]. It was not even a thought in my head. Times Square? I’m just happy to be part of history,” Garcia said when asked about headlining the unique staging. “It’s a big opportunity for me to do something amazing at a historic event. There’s a little added pressure, but this is what we do. This is why we’ve trained since we were young for these super mega-events. I’m blessed.”
The last time we saw Garcia in the ring was April 20, 2024, when he put the first loss on Haney’s professional resume, which later became a no-contest when Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug Ostarine, resulting in a one-year suspension.
Still, Garcia wants Haney again, and the fight is reportedly signed for later this year if both are victorious on May 2.
“I want the Devin Haney rematch 100 percent,” Garcia said. “I need it, and I’m going to do it for USADA this time. I want the Devin Haney rematch so bad. I really want it. There’s some personal bad blood there, but it’s not going to overrule me, but it’s got some extra oomph in there, you know, when you’re fighting and put it on him even more. Then you got Bill’s (Devin Haney’s father) crazy antics, and he’s constantly talking nonstop, and that makes me want to put a whooping in a little bit more. This is an opportunity to do it again, and I think after that, I’ll put a stamp on that and move forward.”
On Saturday, May 3, Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) will meet up with IBF super middleweight champion William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Lastly, undisputed junior featherweight champion and Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) will defend his title against Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 KOs) in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 4. It will be Inoue’s first fight in the United States in nearly four years.
“I am thankful to the fans in America who have followed my career,” Inoue said. “Fighting at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is another career highlight, and I look forward to putting on a great show for everyone in attendance. Cardenas is a tough opponent who I respect for accepting the fight without hesitation.”