The Return of Ryan Garcia
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is making bold predictions as Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) prepares for his highly anticipated return to the ring after a one-year hiatus. On May 2nd, at the iconic Times Square in New York City, Garcia will face the skilled Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in a twelve-round welterweight main event. De La Hoya, a 1992 Olympic gold medalist and former six-division world champion, is confident that Garcia will secure a knockout victory. He believes this fight will not only showcase Garcia’s talent but also reinvigorate the sport of boxing, which has been in need of a fresh face and dynamic energy.
De La Hoya’s Vision for the Sport
De La Hoya views Garcia as a crucial figure in the future of boxing. He emphasizes that the sport has been lacking a charismatic and powerful fighter like Garcia, whose presence in the ring can draw in new fans and energize the existing ones. Romero, a former WBA light welterweight champion, is seen as the perfect opponent to help Garcia shake off the rust from his long break. De La Hoya believes that while Romero is a capable fighter, Garcia’s superior skills and punch power will ultimately prevail. "I feel strongly that Ryan will get the knockout," De La Hoya stated, highlighting his confidence in Garcia’s ability to dominate the fight.
The Haney Dilemma
Despite the initial excitement surrounding a potential rematch between Garcia and Devin Haney, De La Hoya is skeptical. He believes that Haney’s chin, or lack thereof, will be his undoing. "You have Ryan Garcia going up against Rolly, who is a one-punch phenom. He can knock you out with either hand, but Rolly knows how to promote himself," De La Hoya noted. However, he is more focused on Haney’s upcoming fight against Jose Ramirez, which is also part of the May 2nd card. "I think Ramirez will go out and knock out the glass jaw of Devin Haney. That’s exactly how it’s going to happen," he predicted. De La Hoya’s assessment is based on his extensive experience and the devastating knockout Haney suffered against Kingry in April 2023, after which Haney has been largely absent from the public eye.
The Value of Rolly Romero
Romero, known for his powerful left hook and relentless aggression, is a formidable opponent who can test Garcia’s skills. De La Hoya acknowledges Romero’s talent and his ability to get himself into significant fights, even after suffering knockouts. "Even though he gets knocked out, he knows how to get himself these big fights," De La Hoya said. This fight against Garcia will not only gauge Romero’s current form but also serve as a valuable tune-up for Garcia before any potential high-stakes bouts in the future. The hope is that Romero can provide enough resistance to help Garcia sharpen his skills and regain his rhythm after a long layoff.
The Ramirez-Haney Showdown
The co-feature bout between Jose Ramirez and Devin Haney is another critical matchup on the May 2nd card. De La Hoya is particularly bullish on Ramirez’s prospects, describing him as a fighter who "stays in the gym, he stays ready, he’s focused and is no nonsense." He believes Ramirez’s commitment to his craft and his natural punching power will be overwhelming for Haney. "Speaking as a fighter, Devin Haney, after being knocked out by Ryan Garcia, that chin is not going to be the same. That confidence, that heart is not going to be the same," De La Hoya said, underscoring the psychological impact of Haney’s previous defeat.
A Night of High Stakes
The May 2nd card at Times Square promises to be a night of high-stakes action, with Garcia and Romero setting the tone for a night of thrilling boxing. De La Hoya’s predictions, while bold, are rooted in his deep understanding of the sport and the current form of the fighters involved. Whether Garcia can deliver the knockout he is expected to, and whether Ramirez can indeed expose Haney’s "glass jaw," remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the boxing world will be watching, and the outcomes of these fights could shape the future landscape of the sport.
