Ryan Garcia knocked down in Times Square after surprising loss to Rolly Romero in his comeback fight following suspension

Rolando Romero created an unforgettable night in Times Square that culminated in an intense showdown fitting for the extraordinary setting by knocking down Ryan Garcia and securing a remarkable upset victory.

Garcia, the anticipated winner who was anticipated to secure a rematch with rival Devin Haney in September, was taken aback by a knockdown in the second round during his highly-promoted fight in the heart of New York City. He struggled to recover from the unexpected setback and eventually suffered his second career defeat through a unanimous decision.

The initial round saw both fighters cautiously navigating the unique and somewhat eerie ambiance, with distant police sirens and muffled cheers from fans outside the exclusive venue providing a haunting backdrop. However, Romero seized control in the second round by landing a precise left hook that sent the favored Garcia crashing to the mat.

Garcia, despite looking on shaky legs when he first returned to his feet, regained composure as the next few rounds went on. 

Both men took a breather in the third after the whirlwind that had preceded it, before Ryan slowly began to get into his groove through the fourth and fifth.

Yet as the bout creeped into its second half, the 26-year-old appeared to be feeling the pace while Romero, who initially failed to follow up on his early success, slowly shifted momentum back in his favor.

It was the strangest of declines from Garcia as he allowed Romero to slowly exert his dominance.

The famous left hook and blistering combinations which floored Haney and so many other past victims were nowhere to be seen. Even the right hand was packed away for the night. 

Instead, he merely flicked out his jab on occasion while trying to steer out the way of the increasing attacks coming his way.

Under the dazzling lights of New York’s most iconic setting, in a once-in-a-lifetime event we may never witness again, Garcia appeared to have stage fright.

So by the time the contest reached the championship rounds, the underdog was the man in firm control. Garcia, either too sheepish, devoid of ideas or merely gassed, had no answer as he almost sleepwalked to defeat.

Romero essentially clinched this victory, a victory which thrusts him into world-title contention at welterweight out of nowhere, when he upped the ante in the ninth, 10th and 11th, when his impotent adversary seemed to be sleepwalking to defeat.

Even in the 12th and final round Garcia was in no rush to find a hail-mary knockout at the death that could have spared his blushes. 

So by the time the final bell sounded, there could only be one winner.

Romero’s hand was rightfully raised at the end of a fairly uneventful affair barring his second-round knockdown. While the action was limited at times, he was a clear victor on a night where Garcia seemed a shadow of his former self.

He will now be left to lick his wounds on a night which saw his arch-rival Haney cruise to victory against Jose Ramirez, while Leofing Lopez, another potential opponent for him who held up his end of the bargain against Arnold Barbosa, also had his hand raised.

While Garcia slumped to a truly humbling defeat on one of the biggest nights of his career, the outspoken and often amusing Romero came of age in a performance which will shock the boxing world into taking him much more seriously going forward.

Perhaps it is he who should be rewarded handsomely with the payday of a dust-up with Haney in Saudi Arabia later this year.

On a night for the ages as far as sporting venues are concerned, Rolly flipped the script to secure a triumph he will never forget.