The bad blood between Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney has been evident all fight week.
If the two rivals are going to make good on their vow for a rematch, Garcia will have to defeat Rolly Romero and Haney will need to edge Jose Ramirez at The Ring’s Fatal Fury: Times Square, and live and exclusively on DAZN PPV, on Friday night.
Will Garcia be successful in his first fight in over a year? Or will Romero shock him with the upset?
With the stakes ultra high, DAZN News analyzes the keys to victory for both Garcia and Romero.
DAZN
Ryan Garcia will have the vantage point to unload rapid-fire output over Rolly Romero’s guard.
Doing this successfully could spell Romero needing to reset his offense or worse over, end Rolly’s night with an exclamation point.
Garcia has the hand speed and power to do it.
Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz unloaded a couple of left hooks that put Romero on jelly legs during their first round en route to eventually pulling off the eighth-round TKO of Rolly last March.
Garcia’s left hook is way more violent.
Should it connect flush to the temple or across the jaw, 'King Ry' could have the statement win needed coming off his one-year suspension following a failed drug test.
If there is a caveat for Garcia in this fight, it is to not get overzealous and reckless in going for a knockout.
Romero is a blunt, heavy-handed puncher who could muscle Garcia around and provide problems if the latter is not smart out there.
Rolly Romero does not have the hand speed of Garcia but while 'King Ry' is letting his hands fly, Romero would be wise to time a counterpunch in traffic the other way.
Landing a statement shot would instantly gain Garcia’s respect and could go long ways toward Rolly pulling the upset.
Gervonta 'Tank' Davis had success to Garcia’s body and that should be a green light for Romero to attempt the same.
Targeting Garcia’s midsection and softening it up could slow 'King Ry' down enough for Rolly to make this a war.
Even casuals might know Ryan Garcia’s best punch is his left hook.
Romero must anticipate the punch, slip it and counter if possible.
He needs to avoid it landing flush by all costs.
Raising a glove up to his temple could help with that.
Fight fans are in for a treat this week, with two amazing fight exclusively DAZN PPV.
Fight fans can purchase either these fight nights individually for $59.99 US; £/€21.99 UK/IRE; $24.99 ROW per PPV or take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle where both fight cards can be purchased for $90 US; £34.99 UK and €34.99 Europe.