Boxing fans are buzzing with excitement as Turki Alalshikh, the new owner of The Ring and head of Riyadh Season, unveiled a star-studded lineup for a springtime tripleheader in New York City’s iconic Times Square. The event, which marks Alalshikh’s first Ring Magazine USA show, is poised to be a game-changer for the sport, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch between Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs; 1 No-Contest) and Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs; 1 NC) later this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Garcia, coming off a suspension and eager to prove himself, will face former WBA junior welterweight titleholder Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in a bout above the junior welterweight limit. Meanwhile, Haney, the unbeaten former Ring/undisputed lightweight champion, will square off against the formidable Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) at the full welterweight limit. Adding heavyweight firepower, Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) and Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) will clash in an IBF title eliminator, further heightening the event’s stakes.
Adding a unique twist to the occasion, the card is named after the upcoming video game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, blending the worlds of gaming and boxing in a groundbreaking collaboration between SNK and The Ring. The game’s release on April 25 coincides with the Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn grudge match in London the following day.
For Garcia and Haney, this event is a crucial step toward redemption and legacy-building after their controversial first encounter. Garcia aims to shake off the shadow of his overturned victory due to a failed drug test, while Haney seeks to solidify his dominance after relinquishing his WBC 140-pound title. With a lineup featuring top-tier talent, compelling narratives, and heavyweight fireworks, this Times Square showcase promises an unforgettable night of world-class boxing.
