This report covers the main event boxing showdown between Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero.
The fight took place on May 2nd in New York City.
Round 1
Both fighters began tentatively, exchanging jabs. Garcia landed effective body jabs early. Romero attempted to close the distance, but Garcia successfully controlled the range, setting the pace. Romero landed a notable body shot, but Garcia`s jabs remained sharp.
Score: 10-9 Garcia
Round 2
Romero started the round emphatically, scoring an early knockdown against Garcia with a left hook. Garcia rose quickly and answered the count, appearing shaken but recovering. Romero aggressively pressed the action, focusing on power punches and targeting the body. Garcia returned to using his jab. Romero landed a straight right and continued his body attack. Garcia concluded the round with a left hook.
Score: 10-8 Romero
Overall: 19-18 Romero
Round 3
Romero utilized his jab to maintain distance and control Garcia. Garcia landed a right hand. Both fighters showed mutual respect. Romero landed jabs to both the body and head. Garcia worked the body and landed a jab and a left hand around Romero`s defense. Garcia also landed a right hand in a competitive frame.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 29-27 Romero
Round 4
Garcia landed effective body shots and jabs. Romero targeted the body with his extended jab. Garcia employed good footwork to close the distance and landed a jab. Romero persisted with his long body jab. Garcia pushed Romero back with a solid jab and landed another body shot. Romero showed defensive head movement to evade Garcia`s attacks. Garcia landed more firm jabs.
Score: 10-9 Garcia
Overall: 38-37 Romero
Round 5
Garcia had the better of an early exchange, landing a counter left and a right hand that connected with Romero. He effectively controlled the distance and landed a quick body shot. Romero jabbed to the body, leading to a brief clinch before they were separated. Garcia landed another body shot.
Score: 10-9 Garcia
Overall: 47-47
Round 6
Romero continued seeking openings for body jabs, applying pressure while Garcia landed his own jabs. Garcia landed left hooks. Romero landed a right hand. Romero jabbed the body again. The round remained close with a minute left. Romero landed a left hook followed by a left to the body towards the end.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 57-56 Romero
Round 7
Romero resumed targeting the body. Garcia got inside to land a body shot and connected with a string of jabs. Romero`s left hook was defended. Output was low from both fighters, perhaps conserving energy for later rounds. Garcia continued landing jabs, including a very fast one to the body and another to the head.
Score: 10-9 Garcia
Overall: 66-66
Round 8
Romero launched a lunging left. They traded jabs to the body. Romero missed a wild right hand, and the action significantly slowed, with fighters mostly tapping gloves. Garcia landed a good jab and a glancing right after breaking from a clinch. Garcia landed more jabs consistently, though his lack of powerful follow-up was notable. The referee warned both fighters about holding. Romero landed a left hook to the body just before the bell.
Score: 10-9 Garcia
Overall: 76-75 Garcia
Round 9
Romero attacked the body effectively, forcing Garcia onto the back foot. Garcia tied him up to stem the attack. Garcia jabbed, then Romero initiated a tie-up. Romero landed a left hook and continued landing solid body jabs. Garcia stuck with the jab, but his perceived lack of power punching seemed potentially detrimental on the scorecards. Romero landed another left hook. Garcia landed a jab and a short right hand during a clinch. Garcia maintained distance, respecting Romero`s power, while Romero continued his body work.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 85-85
Round 10
Romero assumed the role of aggressor, consistently landing body jabs and initiating clinches. They traded body shots at close range. Romero landed a left hook and a right hand that caused Garcia to cover up, following with a left. Romero began stalking Garcia, who threw very few punches, a seemingly perplexing strategy. Romero started finding success landing significant punches.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 95-94 Romero
Round 11
Romero increased the pace with his jab, landing a right hand to the body. Romero showed confidence, sensing Garcia`s reluctance to engage in exchanges. Garcia landed a jab, but Romero landed body punches almost at will. Garcia repeatedly backed up and circled, giving up ground and appearing unfocused.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 105-103 Romero
Round 12
Romero immediately went back to the jab, targeting the body. Garcia offered minimal offense, throwing very few punches. Romero did not need to do much, simply walking Garcia down and jabbing. More body jabs landed for Romero, who appeared to be cruising towards a decision victory unless Garcia mounted a significant late attack.
Score: 10-9 Romero
Overall: 115-112 Romero
Official result: Rolly Romero defeated Ryan Garcia via unanimous decision with scores of 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109.
