Times Square to host midnight boxing event in historic New York showdown

A truly special boxing event will take place tonight. At midnight, exactly, in the iconic Times Square in New York, a boxing event that was also a great desire of Turki Alalshikh will begin. The powerful Saudi wants as many boxing events in unusual locations as possible, and Times Square definitely fits the description.

A total of five matches will be held as part of the spectacle in New York. The evening will begin with an amateur duel called the "Badge Fight". Namely, Joel Allen, a New York police officer (NYPD) will box against James Gennari, who is in the New York Fire Department (FDNY). After they have their fight, a fight will follow between Japanese debutant Reito Tsutsumi and the not-so-famous American Levale Whittington (1-2-1). This match should serve as a basis for Tsutsumi's debut and first victory, because much is expected of this young Japanese.

The first two matches don't offer particularly big names, but after that there will be three big fights. Teofimo Lopez (21-1-0), former world lightweight champion and current world super lightweight champion, will fight Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0). At stake are the WBO and Ring World Super Lightweight titles.

After Lopez and Barboza, Devin Haney (31-0, 1 NC) and Jose Ramirez (29-2) will enter the ring. The fight between these two is contracted in the "catchweight" up to 144 "pounds" (65.3 kg), and Haney returns to the ring for the first time after last year's loss to Ryan Garcia. Subsequently, that loss was changed to a "no contest" because Garcia tested positive for doping and Haney is still officially undefeated. If he defeats Ramirez, he will set the stage for a rematch with Garcia.

The main event of the evening will feature the aforementioned Ryan Garcia (24-1-0), and his opponent is Rolando "Rolly" Romero (18-2-0). Garcia is a big favorite and a win will open the door for him to a new fight with Haney, but Rolly Romero is a very serious opponent, full of confidence and a desire to spoil Garcia's plans.

Garcia and Romero

Incidentally, Garcia and Romero agreed to this fight in the welterweight category and appeared on the scales heavier than ever. The scales showed 66.58 kg for Garcia, while Romero is slightly lighter at 66.49 kg. The upper limit of the welterweight category is set at 66.67 kg. Romero has never weighed more than 63.8 kg in his career, and Garcia's record was 64.9 kg. Now they did not have to lose too much weight and should appear in their best possible versions.

This special boxing event is scheduled to air today (May 2) at midnight, and you can watch it on DAZN. Of course, you also have to pay for PPV, and the price of PPV is 24.99 euros.