Dull Duel in Times Square: Haney-Garcia Rematch Loses Its Spark After Romero Upset

Last night’s boxing showcase in Times Square was intended as a stepping stone toward a high-profile rematch between Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. But any remaining excitement for a second bout between the two evaporated after both fighters turned in underwhelming performances, culminating in Garcia being upset by Rolando Romero.

In the post-fight interview, Mike Coppinger floated the idea of Romero stepping in to fight Haney instead. Surprisingly, Romero took the humble route, saying that Haney and Garcia should still be given their moment to run it back. While a gracious sentiment, it’s unlikely many fans are clamoring for a rematch following the lackluster 24 combined rounds between Haney and Garcia across two fights.

The action was far from fan-friendly. Once known for a thrilling April bout, the pair now find themselves with the dubious honor of appearing twice in a statistical list of the lowest combined punch outputs in recent major bouts. Their most recent efforts were sluggish, uninspired, and visually painful for even the most loyal fans.

To make matters worse, this isn’t just about Haney and Garcia. Other low-output snoozers were also highlighted, including Joseph Parker’s tactical but tame victory over Deontay Wilder in Riyadh—an event backed by Saudi sports promoter Turki Alalshikh. While Alalshikh’s vision has brought major names together under lavish lights, it hasn’t always translated into high-action fights.

For context, the second-worst fight on the list remains Sultan Ibragimov’s 2007 WBO heavyweight title win over Shannon Briggs—a notorious affair in boxing’s hall of shame. But even that event didn’t have the same buildup and hype as Haney-Garcia did.

Now, both Haney and Garcia face a different kind of challenge—not just regaining titles, but restoring their reputations. The best way forward isn’t in lengthy media tours or social media jabs, but in staying active and proving themselves in the ring with convincing performances. After two misfires, fans need to see less talk and more action.

Photo: Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

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