Garcia vs Romero LIVE: Start time, results and updates with Haney vs Ramirez and Lopez vs Barboza on undercard

Gennari, 30, and Allen, 40, are both wearing headguards for this bout, which is scheduled for three three-minute rounds.

Both New Yorkers stand orthodox, and Allen lands a few good left hooks and crosses early on. Plenty of activity from him and Gennari.

Nice combination punching from Allen, who’s putting uppercuts and hooks together well. Gennari with some smart body work, though.

Allen, the older fighter, looks the more tired of the pair late in round one.

Okay, the event will get under way in a few minutes!

Things should kick off with a unique bout between firefighter James Gennari and NYPD officer Joel Allen!

We’ll then have a featherweight contest between Reito Tsutsumi and Levale Whittington, another appetiser for the three big match-ups this evening.

There are very few fans in attendance tonight, though there are more at the barriers, trying to glimpse the ring.

Here’s a fun deep-dive from Harry Bullmore on how Ryan Garcia developed one of the best left hooks in the game today:

Here’s an interview we did with Devin Haney in London earlier this year, just before his fight with Jose Ramirez was announced:

If sportswashing is largely about optics, tonight’s event makes sense.

And as audacious as that prospect appears, you would be brave to bet against the Saudi adviser making it happen.

It is an intriguing idea and an alluring event, yet while “heart” applies to the matter of location, that might be the extent of the soul involved. The latest details suggest that this fight card will be invite-only, so expect the boxers, their teams and select media, but very few fans – if any.

In that sense, the atmosphere might mimic those at Saudi Arabian events in recent years: subdued. Fittingly so, too, given this card will be staged by The Ring magazine, which was recently purchased by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.

Addressing a run-in with Haney’s father and coach Bill at this week’s open workouts, Garcia said on Wednesday: “He was coming at my physique, but it’s all good. They were saying the same thing last time and they got their ass whooped last time, too! And you’ll get your ass whooped again!”

“He got off that Ostarine, and he don’t even sound the same!” the younger Haney responded, referencing the banned substance for which Garcia tested positive. “His voice changed back. Your physique changed, you’ve got t*****s now! Those muscles gone, your voice is gone. This motherf****r is gone!”

Garcia – 1/9; Romero – 11/2; draw – 20/1

Haney – 1/12; Ramirez – 13/1; draw – 18/1

Lopez – 4/9; Barboza Jr –15/8 ; draw – 16/1

Also note: fans can take advantage of the DAZN Knockout Weekend Bundle for £34.99 in the UK, $90 in the US, and €39.99 in Europe; this bundle includes the Times Square event and Canelo vs Scull on 3 May.

If a customer buys either pay-per-view option, they can choose to have a seven-day free trial of the DAZN platform – with full access to all live events across a range of sports – or buy an annual DAZN subscription, which comes with the offer of the first month free.

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