A historic fight card emanates from the middle of Times Square on May 2. Highlighted on DAZN will be the return of Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez.
The main event will see Garcia (24-1) return from suspension to take on Rolando Romero for the WBA (Regular) welterweight title.
A Garcia win over Haney (31-0) was overturned after the troubled star tested positive for Ostarine. Suspended for a year, the hard-hitting “King Ry” looks to maintain the belief that he is the future of boxing when he takes on former sparring partner and champion Romero (16-2).
Speaking of Haney, the former undisputed champion takes on another former champion, Jose Carlos Ramirez. Haney looks to shut his detractors up following a subpar performance against Garcia.
A rematch against Garcia is on the table. Haney must first beat Ramirez (29-2), 3-1 in his last four fights, and not someone to be taken lightly.
Finally, Lopez (20-1) puts his WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles on the line against interim champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0). “The Takeover” has gone on quite a run since leaving the lightweight division, winning five straight.
Barboza has beaten the likes of Ramirez and Jack Catterall and looks to prove he’s the man at 140, not Lopez.
With the help of the FanDuel Sportsbook, The Sporting News makes predictions on the entire Times Square fight card.
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero expert picks and full card predictions
Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero for the WBA (Regular) welterweight title
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Ryan Garcia is the -1200 favorite, while Rolando Romero is the +680 underdog. The draw is at +1800.
Going from Derrick James to Eddy Reynoso, Garcia has worked with some of the best trainers in the sport. However, he has been known to be a wild card, as seen before the Haney fight last year.
Going by ability, Garcia is known for his knockout power, with 20 wins via the power punch. His ability to land rapid-fire punches is one of his best traits. Garcia averages the fourth-fewest total punches thrown per round (34.8) and sixth-fewest landed (10.4). However, his opponents land the sixth-fewest punches per round (5.2).
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Against Haney, Garcia landed 106 of 285 shots (37.2%), only landing double-digit punches in four rounds. It was enough to knock Haney down multiple times. The fight was his most complete performance, but was thrown in the trash after his failed drug test.
Romero is right behind him in punches thrown (35.6) but ranks first in fewest punches landed (9). He beat Ismael Barroso in 2023 via a controversial TKO call, as Romero just beat out his opponent in punches landed (20.4% to 19.2%). Romero only landed double-digit shots once.
“Rolly” minimized risk against Manuel Jaimes in his last fight, landing close to 28% of his punches, connecting on double-digit shots from the fifth round on. Can he do the same against a step-up in competition in Garcia?
Unlike the way they dress, the fight itself may not be top-tier. However, a knockout is expected. Garcia has a lot to prove following his suspension, while Romero must show he is the real deal and avoid defensive lapses after calling for this fight for years. Expect a slugfest, with Garcia coming out on top.
Sporting News prediction: Garcia via KO (round six)
Devin Haney vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Devin Haney is the -1200 favorite, while Jose Carlos Ramirez is the +680 underdog. The draw is at +1800.
Haney landed just 7 of 18 punches per round against Garcia and only landed double-digit shots in three rounds. It was a fight where he was completely off his game. The same is not expected here.
When he is on, Haney is on.
Haney can hurt you with jabs, connecting on 25% of his jabs, good for ninth in boxing. His opponents land the ninth-fewest punches landed per round (7.9). When he fights, it is like you are watching a master of the sweet science at work.
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Before the Garcia loss, Haney landed 110 of 405 shots against Vasiliy Lomachenko and 129 of 367 against Regis Prograis. Before that, he landed 202 of 487 shots in a rematch against George Kambosos Jr. His fight IQ is superb.
Ramirez is not someone to push aside. The former champion went on a run of beating former champions following a Josh Taylor defeat. He outlanded Richard Commey 191 to 157, landing 34% of his power punches. Against Jose Pedraza, Ramirez outlanded him 28 to 14 in rounds eleven and twelve and limited his opponent to single-digit punches from round nine onward.
Ramirez did struggle against a top contender in Barboza. The latter landed almost 50 more punches and forced Ramirez to be tentative at times. Still, his ability to provide pressure is known outside that fight.
Haney has a lot to prove here. He may provide a near-complete performance, but Ramirez won’t give in that easily. Expect the fight to go the distance here.
Sporting News prediction: Haney via unanimous decision
Teofimo Lopez (c) vs. Arnold Barboza for the WBO and The Ring super lightweight titles
Per the FanDuel Sportsbook, Teofimo Lopez is the -260 favorite, while Arnold Baboza Jr. is the +194 underdog. The draw is at +1400.
Lopez is a brilliant boxer-puncher who can connect whenever he feels there is an opening. If Lopez does have a weakness, it’s his consistency, which, at times, he has lacked. Go back and compare his performances against Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr.
Following a run where he seemed to lose his confidence, Lopez landed 158 of 517 shots (30.6%) against Josh Taylor, compared to 82 of 341 (24%) shots for “The Tartan Tornado.” In his last fight against Steve Claggett, Lopez landed career-highs in total punches thrown and landed (315 of 946, 33.3%).
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“The Takeover” seems to be getting better, which is dangerous. However, he faces a true pitbull in Arnold Barboza Jr.
Barboza landed almost 50 more punches than Ramirez when they fought. Against Jack Catterall, Barboza landed 18 more punches and threw 123 more shots. Barboza averaged 36 punches thrown per round, forcing Catterall to single-digit shots throughout the fight.
Barboza can be tactical, which is key if he wants to beat someone like Lopez. With deep animosity between the two, this could be your fight of the night. It may be more of a chess match than people wanted, but it can make for a great contest. As far as a winner, Lopez should come out on top.
Sporting News prediction: Lopez via unanimous decision
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