Ryan Garcia is easily beaten by Rolando Romero to leave hopes of a Devin Haney rematch in tatters.

In a frustrating turn of events for boxing fans, Ryan Garcia's highly anticipated return to the ring ended in disappointment as he lost to Rolando Romero by unanimous decision during a Friday night event in Times Square, New York. This fight was meant to set the stage for a rematch with Devin Haney; however, Garcia's performance raised significant doubts about his future in the ring. Garcia, who entered the match with a staggering -1000 odds in his favor according to ESPN BET, was unable to demonstrate his trademark left hook and fell short of delivering any significant offense throughout the 12-round bout. The outcome comes after a one-year suspension for failing a drug test following a previous controversial fight with Haney. The night started with high expectations; however, the fight between Garcia and Romero turned out to lack the excitement fans were hoping for. The fighters combined for just 123 punches landed out of 490 thrown, setting a record for the third-lowest output in the history of CompuBox for a 12-round match. This lack of action prompted criticism from social media, where fans expressed their disappointment at what had been marketed as a marquee boxing event. Romero, who managed to surprise many with his composed performance, altered the fight's momentum by knocking Garcia down in Round 2. Following that moment, Garcia's eagerness diminished, as he struggled to find his rhythm, famously declaring in his post-fight interview, 'He fought a good fight,' while acknowledging his opponent's skill. Romero's ability to maintain his distance while being patient significantly underlined the disparity in the fighters' approaches. In the co-main event, Devin Haney also underperformed, winning against Jose Ramirez in a lackluster unanimous decision. Haney now carries over the stigma of being unable to capitalize on a lackadaisical performance from Ramirez, highlighting a troubling trend among both fighters who were expected to shine but instead delivered disheartening results for their fans. This lack of action has left fans wondering about the potential rematch between Haney and Garcia. Even though a contract was reportedly signed, both performances raise serious questions about whether it will materialize, especially as the sports world looks for thrilling bouts to captivate audiences. Given the circumstances, boxing's guardians, such as Turki Al-Sheikh of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, who had envisioned an iconic spectacle, may need to rethink the promotional strategy around future events to maintain audience interest. This evening was not the return to form fans had hoped to witness; it was a night characterized by caution and self-preservation rather than the fireworks intrinsic to the sport. Ultimately, while the night ended with a significant upset and every fighter walked away with experience, the boxing community is left waiting for a true showdown worthy of the anticipation that Garcia vs. Haney promised but failed to deliver.