Promoter Eddie Hearn says Ryan Garcia will be “too much” for Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero this Friday in their headliner on DAZN PPV on May 2nd at Times Square in New York City. Hearn feels that Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) is too physically strong and fast for the former WBA light welterweight champion Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in this fight.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott)

Garcia is coming off a long break, and there are going to be a lot of fans that will be watching to see if he can still perform like he showed in his last fight. He had his way with former two-division world champion Devin Haney last April, beating him by a 12-round majority decision. Garcia’s performance was later tainted when he tested positive for a PED.

“Probably the best fight of the night is Teofimo against Barboza. I think that could be a banana skin,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to K.O. Artist Sports about the possibility of Teofimo Lopez losing against Arnold Barboza Jr. on Friday night on the Fatal Fury card at Times Square in New York City.

Concerns for Haney

“I’m interested in seeing Devin return because I think that night [against Ryan Garcia last year in April] took a lot out of him physically, and I think there will be a few demons for him going back into the ring. I don’t think [Jose] Ramirez at this stage is necessarily the guy to expose that,” said Hearn.

Haney’s Recovery Questions

Mental recovery
Chin durability
Physical condition
Focus and strategy

Jose Ramirez might be the guy to expose Haney’s physical and mental deterioration on Friday. He’s got the power and the amateur Olympic pedigree to win. If Haney’s chin has been eroded from his loss, he’s not long for making it through the Ramirez fight without getting knocked out.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) was shaken up mentally from his loss to Ryan, because he would have returned to the ring if his confidence was still intact. He would never have voluntarily agreed to take a year off from his career if self-doubt hadn’t creeped in after his beatdown loss.

Hearn on Garcia vs. Romero

“Ryan talked a lot of s*** about me and Haney, but he wasn’t in a good place,” said Hearn. “I was surprised that he was in that fight what Ryan has done to get him back to where he is. There’s something about Ryan. Obviously, he’s a very handsome young man. He’s such an asset to boxing when he’s like this because he’s exciting.

“He looks great, the young kids know him, and I think it’s really good to see him back. I think he’s much too much for Rolly. He’s much too fast. Much too powerful. I think he’ll stop him certainly in the first half of the fight. I think if Ryan can get it right, I think he’s going to be tough to beat,” said Hearn.