Gabe Rosado breaks down a fights on the big May 2 card in Times Square that will feature Ryan Garcia vs Rolando Romero, Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez, and Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza. Here’s some of what Rosado had to say on the respective matchups.
On Ryan Garcia vs Rolando Romero
“I like it. I think Ryan was stripped away from what he loves the most and I think that humbled him, and I think you can see it in his eyes that he appreciates being back on the spotlight. I think it’s probably a blessing in disguise because I feel that if he would’ve just stood on that high horse he could’ve fell off, he could’ve lost focus, he could’ve lost track. I think whether he was on PEDs or not I think him being stripped away from boxing was a blessing for him.
“I see it being Oscar De La Hoya vs Mayorga. Ryan being Oscar and Mayorga coming in, that’s Rolly, and just swinging them wild punches and just staying sharp with that jab and throwing that left hook right in between and catching Rolly.
“I think it’s one of those fights, it don’t go past five.”
On if he thinks Ryan could beat Jaron Ennis
“Man, Jaron Ennis is a problem man and he showcased it in his last fight, how much of a beast he is. So I think, honestly, we have to see more of Ryan at the 147 division to even make that kind of statement but I think Boots solidified himself in the 147 lb division as probably the best guy in the division, unifying the titles, especially in the fashion he did. So I would say right now that Jaron is definitely the top guy in the division and Ryan has to prove himself and show us what he’s made of in ‘47.”
On Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez
“I think Haney’s the better fighter on paper but I feel like Ramirez is the wrong choice to come back. I feel like Ramirez is powerful, he’s strong, and I think that coming off of that Barboza fight he didn’t look horrible and he didn’t get beat bad…I think he can made adjustments. And we have to see Haney — where his mind is at, if his confidence is even there ‘cause it’s one thing to look good physically and be ripped and all that but where’s your mind at?”
On Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza
“I’m thinking Barboza has a slight edge just because he’s on rhythm, he’s busy, he’s active. Teofimo been out of the ring for a while and I just think that Teofimo is a rhythm fighter so being out of the ring so long could hurt him but Teo is a special fighter with special abilities so it’s really had to beat Teo but the time is now to beat him just because he’s been inactive…so I think now is the right time, Barboza got him in the right spot.”
