Los Angeles Press Conference ft. Oscar De La Hoya, Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero and May 2 Fatal Fury Undercard

International superstar and welterweight world championship contender “King” Ryan Garcia, former undisputed lightweight champion and WBC Super Lightweight Champion Devin “The Dream” Haney, two-division world champion and current WBO and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez, and their respective opponents met at The Mayan in Los Angeles, Calif., to wrap up their coast-to-coast press tour ahead of their historic three-fight card in Times Square.

These bouts headline the star-studded “FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves” card, marking the first-ever event in the United States presented by Ring Magazine. The event is additionally brought to you by SNK Corporation in association with Oscar De La Hoya for Golden Boy Promotions and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. New York’s iconic Times Square will be turned into a world-class boxing venue for one night on Friday, May 2, to provide the backdrop for Ring Magazine’s first American event, playing host to some of the biggest stars of the game. Garcia, (24-1, 20 KOs), is set to clash with former WBA Super Lightweight titleholder Rolando “Rolly” Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) for the WBA “World” Welterweight Championship, while Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) will face former Unified Super Lightweight Champion Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs). WBO Super Lightweight Champion Lopez will battle against undefeated interim WBO titleholder Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs).

This is what the fighters and their teams had to say today: RYAN GARCIA: Q: What are your thoughts on Rolly Romero as an opponent? “As far as Rolly as an opponent, he was not my first choice. It was (Isaac) Pitbull Cruz, but things played out a different way. I’m really focused on whooping Devin Haney’s ass again. That’s all I’m really worried about—not even to redeem myself, just to cement that Ostarine BS which you probably set up.” Q: How long will Rolly last in the ring with you? “He’s going to come to fight. I’m not taking him lightly or anything like that. I’m still going to train my best, but everybody wants to see the rematch (with Haney), and that’s where my heart is at. So, I’ve just got to prepare well. I know I’m the better fighter, and I’m going to knock him out.” Q: Do you think it’s important for you to make a statement in this fight? “All of my fights are a statement. Every fight is important. I can’t go in there without trying to do my best, so of course.” Q: Who is on your radar after Rolly Romero and Devin Haney? “Teo, right there. I want that. You know I want that.” Q: What’s your prediction for May 2? “I put Rolly to sleep with a left hook. That’s it. That’s what you’re going to see. Period.” ROLANDO “ROLLY” ROMERO: Q: How concerned are you about Ryan Garcia’s patented left hook? “Not very concerned at all. You move out of the way.” Q: What did you mean when you said that Ryan Garcia doesn’t care about titles—that he just wants to be a model? “Well, he didn’t make weight for his last world title fight, and he didn’t even try to make weight with Tank (Gervonta Davis), so he’s not chasing a belt. But we’ll see May 2.” Q: What’s the game plan to beat Ryan Garcia? “I don’t really have a game plan. I didn’t have one when I whooped his ass (in a sparring session eight years ago). Q: Are you concerned that Ryan says he is looking past you? “He can think whatever he wants. He knows me too well.” DEVIN HANEY: Q: Why have you seemed quiet and reserved in recent appearances? “I’m just excited to be back in boxing, under the lights. I’m really just focused right now. I’ve got tunnel vision.” Q: Are you happy with the matchup against Jose Ramirez, or did you prefer to fight Ryan Garcia straight away? “Of course the big fight is Ryan Garcia, but I cannot look past Jose Ramirez. I know that he is a tough competitor. I know that he is coming to win. To get to the Ryan fight, first we’ve got to beat Jose Ramirez, and that’s what I’m here to do.” Q: Are you going to be a different version of Devin Haney in the ring on May 2nd? “Yes, a better version. I’ve been in the gym, working quietly behind the scenes ever since the Ryan fight. Just getting better, perfecting my craft. You guys are going to see an even better, new and improved version of Devin Haney.” Q: Do you think Ryan Garcia’s punishment from the commission was enough? “That’s not for me to determine right now. My main focus is Jose Ramirez and then lining it back up with Ryna Garcia. Whatever his punishment, that’s what it was, and I’m going to look to punish him in the ring.” Q: What are we going to be saying about you after May 2? “Like I said, even better than I was before. Like I said, I’m a new and improved version of myself.” JOSE CARLOS RAMIREZ: Q: What has to happen for you to have your arm raised after fighting Devin Haney? “People forget I’m a 2012 Olympian… I’m gonna go out there on May 2 and do what I have to do. I know how much this fight means to me, to the team, and to my family. I know when I make my way to 147, I’m going to be a lot stronger and a lot faster. I’m healthier, and I’m feeling rejuvenated. I’m looking forward to making a statement on May 2nd.” Q: Is Devin Haney going to be a more difficult fight for you than Arnold Barboza was? “We’ll see. He’s a different opponent, so you can’t really ask that. Going back to old times, a fighter used to lose to one fighter, then beat the other fighter. You can’t say that about boxing. It’s a different division with a different Jose Ramirez. Q: A lot of people are going to wonder about the state of Devin Haney’s chin after his fight with Ryan Garcia. Are you going to be able to test that chin? “Of course I’m going to test the chin. That’s my job. Even if he was 31-0 with 31 knockouts, it’s still my job to test his chin.” Q: What is your prediction for the fight? “I just can’t wait for May 2. I’m going to make a statement, and that’s all I’m going to do. I’m focused on the fight, that’s it.” TEOFIMO LOPEZ: Q: How much do you make of Arnold Barboza’s confidence that he can beat you? “To be honest, I’m focused on myself. That’s all it is. My biggest competition is myself. I could care less what Arnold has to say on that side. We’re here to take over.” Q: Who is the most talented fighter on the card besides yourself? Who do you have the most respect for? “Most respectfully, my son, Teofimo Liam Lopez. All of you suck, man.” Q: Who is going to steal the show on May 2? “The fans are going to steal the show that night. That’s what it’s all about. We want everybody to tune in, pull up—it’s open to the public, right? All of you guys are going to win that night. You get three of the hottest commodities in the sport of boxing. But there’s six of us, really. I think that’s what’s really going to matter to everyone. We’re the face of the next generation of boxing that’s coming in. That’s the most important part. I want everybody to win, outside of Arnold Barboza, that’s about it.” Q: What will we see from you on May 2? “Listen, guys, I’m 27. I haven’t even hit my prime. You guys have seen a version of me, and I did everything so quick. So tune in May 2.” ARNOLD BARBOZA: Q: What’s it going to take to beat Teofimo Lopez? “This is going to be my easiest fight in my last four fights. Slap that clown around is what I’m going to do. He thinks he’s something special, but he’s been taken care of by Top Rank. But now Top Rank has pulled that cord, and they’re letting him play.” Q: What is your prediction for May 2? “May 2, I’m coming out victorious. Doesn’t matter how it happens, it happens. Teo sucks, and I’m going to beat him up, that’s it. He is not going to be the same after this, trust me.” OSCAR DE LA HOYA: Q: What do you expect from your three fighters on this card? “Ryan Garcia is back, baby. Badder than ever, fresher than ever. I like what I see, man. On May 2, in Times Square, this event could not take place without Ryan Garcia. That’s the bottom line. Times Square, half a million people watching, closing down the street. It’s going to be incredible. I’m proud to be a part of it…. We have three fighters on the Golden Boy roster (participating). This is the opportunity that fighters deserve. This is what boxing is all about, and I’m very proud to be a part of it.” FRANK SMITH: Q: You’ve been in some unique environments with Matchroom, but Times Square is a different animal altogether. What is this night going to look like? “Yeah, we’ve done some events in amazing places, and when we first heard about the plan to do Times Square, I thought that it wouldn’t be possible. But, seeing some of the things that have been put together recently, it just shows the level that this sport can go to. Boxing is in a great place, and what The Ring Magazine is doing with boxing is unbelievable, and I’m excited for it. This is going to be a great night. These fighters are also very fortunate in many ways, to experience an event in a location like Times Square. Who would have thought that this would be possible several years ago?” BRAD JACOBS: Q: Have you ever seen anything like what we’re going to see on May 2 in Times Square? “It’s a testament to these fighters, His Excellency, and The Ring Magazine crew for even thinking of a venue like Times Square. We’ve done events all over the world, in every imaginable place in the world, but not Times Square. The center of the sports and entertainment worlds will have their eyes on Times Square that night.” RICK RENO: Q: What impact will this card have on boxing? “I think it’s going to have a big impact on the boxing landscape given the fighters that are involved. It’s no secret that if Ryan and Devin win their respective fights, they will meet in the fall. There are also some plans for Teo. You’ve got three hungry guys that are looking to derail that. It’s also an iconic setting that’s never been done before. I think we’re setting the stage at Ring Magazine to think outside the box and do something different. Other sports, they change, they innovate, they do different things. I think boxing should do the same, and it’s what we’re looking to do. Innovate and switch things up.”