NEW YORK (AP) — The road to a Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney rematch runs right through the heart of Times Square.
When they fought last year, Garcia initially opposed bringing the match to New York, believing a bout between two California boxers belonged in the West. But Oscar De La Hoya, a superstar during his own career and now Garcia's promoter, argued that to be really big, a fighter had to conquer the Big Apple.
Look at Garcia now.
It's hard to miss him in the city, his face plastered on billboards towering high above Times Square — right below where the ball drops on New Year's Eve and where he and Haney return Friday night in separate bouts in a ring set up in the center of the city's famed tourist spot.
“I’m just excited to be back here in New York after such a historic event last time," Garcia said. “It felt so sweet, so we’re going to have to do it again sooner or later, right?”
That's the plan. If Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) beats Rolando “Rolly” Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) in the main event, after Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) meets fellow former 140-pound champion Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), a rematch of Garcia’s victory last year that was later overturned to a no-contest when he failed a test for performance-enhancing drugs is expected.
Garcia would be the fan favorite if it happened in New York, where locals booed Haney on Wednesday during the final news conference.
“When I dust Jose Ramirez off on Friday, I'm going to get to your boy Ryan after,” Haney shouted back.
Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) defends his junior welterweight title against Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs) in the opener of the tripleheader that will be streamed on DAZN pay-per-view. Six excellent fighters, but the talk of this card is the venue.
“It’ll be all about staying focused. The fighters have to be laser focused,” De La Hoya said while standing in the ring that was still being constructed Thursday as traffic passed by. “Don’t pay attention to all the noise outside of this ring. It’s going to be very difficult for every single fighter, because as you can imagine there will be people everywhere, thousands of people watching.”
Organizers still haven't revealed all the details, and De La Hoya wasn't sure how many people will have access to watch live from seats near the ring.
“They’re talking about having us be presented to the ring in a cab or something,” Lopez said.
Getting around in a taxi in Midtown Manhattan on a Friday night? Good luck with that.
“Tell me about it. I feel like they don’t understand,” said Lopez, who is from Brooklyn. “Especially in Times Square.”
But Ring Magazine wanted something unique for its first event in the U.S., bypassing the possibility of having the event at Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.
It was at the latter venue in Brooklyn last April 20 when Garcia and Haney met in a event that turned into somewhat of a fiasco, largely due to Garcia's erratic behavior in the buildup. He was more than 3 pounds over the limit the day before the fight, showing no care in the world as he chugged what appeared to be a bottle of beer while on the scale during the ceremonial weigh-in event after the official one had already been conducted behind closed doors.
That left him ineligible to take Haney's title after he scored three knockdowns and won a majority decision. Eventually he didn't even get the win, with the result changed and Garcia suspended for a year after his positive test.
Garcia said he was going through some personal problems at that time that included drinking and smoking but is in a much better state of mind these days.
“I’m just here living life,” he said, wearing a suit and tie. “Everybody goes through their ups and downs, everybody goes through their things, but it’s how you come back, it’s how you bounce back and I’m just here to show people that you can bounce back from anything.”
More than 100 screens are expected to be set up around Times Square. There were no details about contingencies for the weather, with the forecast calling for a chance of thunderstorms in the New York area Friday.
The elements are one reason why Lopez, who is normally in the main event, is content to fight a few hours earlier this time.
“It’s cool, man. It’s perfect. I don’t mind it,” he said. “Look, the weather is only going to get more chillier outdoors. I’ll be up first, I’m happy with it. I’ll get in and out.”
AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing
Hall of Fame boxer and promoter Oscar De La Hoya poses in a ring that is being constructed in New York's Time Square, Thursday, May 1, 2025, ahead the fights planned for Friday, May 2. (AP Photo/Brian Mahoney)
FILE - Teofimo Lopez celebrates after defeating Pedro Campa by TKO in a junior welterweight boxing match, Aug. 13, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, file)
FILE - The referee talks to Devin Haney, left, and Ryan Garcia during the fourth round of a super lightweight boxing match Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two longtime Saints players in their mid-30s — who are not under contract for next season — are coming off memorable and emotional home finales that have ignited discussions about their NFL future.
Whether defensive end Cameron Jordan or versatile offensive skill player Taysom Hill return next season remains to be seen. But their effort and commitment during a difficult rebuilding season has drawn high praise from first-year coach Kellen Moore.
“Those guys are the best,” Moore said. “They are the ultimate lead-by-example guys."
Moore called their contributions to this non-playoff season “really, really special," adding, “These guys are playing really good football right now.”
Jordan, 36, and in his 15th NFL season — all with New Orleans — had two sacks during the Saints' 29-6 victory over the New York Jets, raising his team-leading total to 8 1/2.
The 35-year-old Hill, who came back from a major, 2024 knee injury, accounted for 116 total yards as a runner, passer and receiver — a performance highlighted by a game-sealing 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Jordan and Hill both took time to salute the crowd on their way off the field and acknowledged that while playing for the Saints means a lot to them, they cannot be certain what their future holds.
Jordan, who has 130 career sacks, has hinted repeatedly that he's not ready to retire, tossing out names of other defensive ends who played into their late 30s, such as Julius Peppers (who played 17 seasons and retired at 39). But without a contract, he noted, it's hard to forecast whether or where he'll play in 2026.
At the very least, general manager Mickey Loomis felt compelled to walk into the Saints' locker room after Sunday's game, put an arm around Jordan's shoulder, and say a few private words that made the veteran pass rusher smile.
Hill didn't go into much detail about potentially retiring or playing elsewhere, but he did get emotional discussing how important the Saints organization has become to him since claiming him off waivers after the 2017 preseason.
When Hill's wife, Emily, asked him before Sunday's game whether he thought it might be his last as a Saint in the Superdome, he said he “didn’t really feel any type of way, but as I was driving to the stadium, you start to think about the last nine years and what it’s meant to me and my family.”
“So, for me personally, you just try to take it all in,” he added.
Moore isn't ready to discuss looming offseason decisions yet. After starting 1-7, the Saints (5-10) have a chance to finish with seven wins. The coach said on Monday he'd like the club's focus to remain squarely on the games to come.
“We've got two weeks left and this is all that we worry about,” Moore said. “We want to finish this thing off as well as we can for every single player. ... We're trying to create winning habits.”
New Orleans' pass coverage has been among the NFL's best, which might explain why Jets rookie QB Brady Cook looked indecisive and took eight sacks. After allowing the Jets 131 net yards passing, the Saints rank fifth in the NFL in yards passing allowed per game (177.3) and ninth in total defense (303.5).
The Saints' injury-ravaged running game could use more production. New Orleans finished with 84 yards rushing on Sunday and ranks 30th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 92.8 yards per game.
Receiver Chris Olave continued to build his case as one of the NFL's leading comeback players. He missed nine games last season, mostly because of a major concussion that cast uncertainty over his career. His 10 catches for 148 yards and two TDs against the Jets increased his season totals to 92 catches for 1,044 yards and eight TDs — all career highs.
“It was a tough time last year,” Olave said. “I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement. ... I just gave it another try, another chance and it’s been a great year.”
Third-year NFL running back Evan Hull has seen the most action of his career in recent weeks with New Orleans because of injuries to Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal. But staying in the rotation might require more production. He gained 3 yards on five carries against the Jets.
Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (knee) and tight end Foster Moreau (ankle) both will likely be out for at least one game, Moore said. It remains unclear when Kamara (knee and ankle), who's missed the past four games, will return.
1 — The number of first-year coaches in Saints history to have a four-game winning streak. That was Jim Haslett, whose 2000 playoff team won six straight. Moore could become the second with a victory this weekend.
The Saints travel for their final two games, beginning at Tennessee this Sunday for a matchup between non-playoff teams that are coming off victories. New Orleans finishes the season at Atlanta.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) holds on to the ball after a pass completion as New York Jets safety Dean Clark (35) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan greets fans after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
