Ryan Garcia's return to the ring after a year-long suspension ended in disappointment. The Mexican-American boxer lost to Rolly Romero by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Garcia's night started badly in the second round when he fell to the canvas. This moment set the tone for what turned out to be a difficult fight for the returning boxer.
After the match, Garcia acknowledged Romero's victory but didn't hide his frustration. He criticized the atmosphere in the arena, saying it lacked authenticity.
"Yes, I didn't like it at all. It looked like a training fight. You could hear everyone; it just didn't seem authentic to me"
Garcia said this when a reporter asked about the stadium atmosphere. However, he quickly added at the post-fight press conference:
"but you know, no excuses; it is what it is"
Sports commentator Gabriel Rosado shared Garcia's view about the atmosphere. He posted on X:
"I think a big part of what failed tonight was the atmosphere. Times Square sounded great, but it just wasn't right. The crowd plays a huge role in a boxing match. Fighters feed off the energy of the fans!"
The loss puts Garcia's professional career at a crossroads. He'll need to regroup with his manager and team, reassess his strategy, and address the shortcomings exposed in this match.
In related news, Devin Haney's uninspiring victory over Jose Ramirez has cast doubt on a potential rematch with Garcia. Both fighters will need to bounce back strongly to reignite interest in that bout.
Garcia's unexpected defeat serves as a reminder of boxing's unpredictable nature. The coming months will be crucial as he works to get his career back on track after this setback.
