Rolando Romero sends 'vicious knockout' message to Ryan Garcia

Rolando Romero has vowed to viciously stop Ryan Garcia at the top of this weekend's stacked Times Square, New York, bill.

The two fighters are set to contest a hugely-anticipated WBA welterweight world title showdown in the early hours of Saturday morning, on a blockbuster card which also features Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez.

Garcia hasn't fought since his demolition victory over Haney was subsequently declared a no contest 12 months ago, having been found to have taken an illegal substance in the build-up to his fiery affair with the American.

Romero has fired a number of shots at Garcia in the build-up to this weekend's affair, relating to the Californian's somewhat chequered past, but has now promised to do his final bit of talking inside the ring.

"I'm hungry; I'm very hungry right now!" the 16-2 fighter, who is preparing to campaign at welterweight for the first time, told Boxing News.

"There's nothing personal with us, I just want to beat the s*** out of him. He gets his ass beat by me and he still gets the Devin Haney fight next; it doesn't matter what happens with me this weekend.

As far as the fight goes, it ends in a knockout, vicious, right in the middle of Times Square, New York City.

Romero and Garcia - two of the most colourful personalities in American boxing - actually possessed a relatively close friendship when they were both making inroads into their respective professional boxing careers, often sharing the ring in sparring sessions.

Leaked video footage this week showed the two in action with Romero seemingly in control - although, as Garcia assured the media, that will count for nothing under the bright lights of Times Square.

"Lool. he wants to be just like me, he wants to be as good looking as me, as charasmatic as me - I just feel that he envies me in so many ways, you know," the brash Romero added.

"I am a lot sharper than he is and he knows I am a lot sharper than he is, so in reality, he just wants to be me, so let him try to be me.

"When everything is said and done, only one thing matters, the fight - and, as I have said, there's only one way it ends!"

Mark Mothershaw

• Riyadh Season
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