The Fatal Fury boxing event in Times Square left fans with mixed feelings. What started as a big idea to bring boxing to the heart of New York City ended up disappointing many people.
Oscar De La Hoya set up a ring right in Times Square for a fight between Ryan Garcia and Rolly. He wanted to create something special that would grab attention worldwide. But things didn't go as planned.
The biggest problem? A huge 3.6-meter barrier around the ring. This wall blocked the view for most people who came to watch. Only 300 VIP guests got to see the action up close. Everyone else had to watch on a screen, if they could see anything at all.
A video on Instagram showed how upset some fans were. One man said:
"So they organized a fight here in Times Square for Ryan Garcia vs. Rolly. But they fenced it off with a barricade. And the only way you can see it is with this damn screen. What's the point of having a fight in Times Square if people can't enjoy it or see it? Because it's blocked off."
People on social media weren't happy either. Some felt tricked, while others argued about whether the event should be open to everyone.
De La Hoya had worried about rain ruining the event. But in the end, it was the fences that caused the most frustration.
The organizers wanted to use New York's glamour as a backdrop for a unique street boxing experience. It's part of a busy week of boxing around the world. But the way they set things up left most fans out in the cold.
Even with all these problems, the actual fight between Garcia and Rolly will likely be exciting. It's just a shame that so few people will get to see it in person.
