Saudi-backed boxing card takes over Times Square – in pictures

Saudi Arabia’s extension of its soft power through sport reached into the heart of New York City on Friday night with a grandiose boxing card for a select audience backed by Turki al-Sheikh, the chairman of the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority

and agencies

Main image: Ryan Garcia, front, and Rolly Romero face off during the main event of Friday’s boxing card in Times Square. Photograph: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing

  • Fans gathered outside the fenced-in ring in Times Square on Friday night hoping to catch some glimpse of the action.
    Fans gathered outside the fenced-in ring in Times Square on Friday night hoping to catch some glimpse of the action.

  • Only about 300 people were permitted inside the makeshift arena for the invite-only event, including fighter teams, production staff, members of the media and select VIPs.
    Only about 300 people were permitted inside the makeshift arena for the invite-only event, including fighter teams, production staff, members of the media and select VIPs.

  • Thousands of fans gathered along Seventh Avenue to be a part of the atmosphere.
    Thousands of fans gathered along Seventh Avenue to be a part of the atmosphere.

  • Arnold Barboza Jr walks out for his fight against Teófimo López for the WBO lightweight title.
    Arnold Barboza Jr walks out for his fight against Teófimo López for the WBO lightweight title.

  • López arrives for his title defense. Fighters were delivered from the hotel a couple of blocks away by cars, with López arriving in a traditional yellow taxicab. The cars had to stop at traffic lights in between before pulling up outside the ring for the fighters to take a shortened ringwalk.
    López arrives for his title defense. Fighters were delivered from the hotel a couple of blocks away by cars, with López arriving in a traditional yellow taxicab. The cars had to stop at traffic lights in between before pulling up outside the ring for the fighters to take a shortened ringwalk.

  • López trades blows with Barboza Jr during their title fight.
    López trades blows with Barboza Jr during their title fight.

  • Turki al-Sheikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, wanted something unique for Ring Magazine’s first boxing card in the US after purchasing it last year.
    Turki al-Sheikh, the head of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia, wanted something unique for Ring Magazine’s first boxing card in the US after purchasing it last year.

  • López, a native of Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, retained his 140lb title with a 12-round unanimous decision.
    López, a native of Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, retained his 140lb title with a 12-round unanimous decision.

  • “I’ve been telling myself this whole week that anything happening is happening for me and not against me,” López said. “I felt great. I felt reborn.”
    “I’ve been telling myself this whole week that anything happening is happening for me and not against me,” López said. “I felt great. I felt reborn.”

  • People gathered outside barriers in Times Square during Friday night’s card.
    People gathered outside barriers in Times Square during Friday night’s card.

  • Devin Haney lands a punch on José Ramírez during their 12-round welterweight bout.
    Devin Haney lands a punch on José Ramírez during their 12-round welterweight bout.

  • Friday night’s event unfolded in the heart of midtown Manhattan, sealed behind 10-foot-high chain-link fencing and swarming with security teams.
    Friday night’s event unfolded in the heart of midtown Manhattan, sealed behind 10-foot-high chain-link fencing and swarming with security teams.

  • Haney defeated Ramírez by a wide 12-round unanimous decision.
    Haney defeated Ramírez by a wide 12-round unanimous decision.

  • Rolly Romero, who went off as a 6-1 underdog against Ryan Garcia, arrives prior to Friday’s main event.
    Rolly Romero, who went off as a 6-1 underdog against Ryan Garcia, arrives prior to Friday’s main event.

  • Garcia was sent to the canvas by a Romero left hook early in the second round.
    Garcia was sent to the canvas by a Romero left hook early in the second round.

  • Romero delivered the shock of the night after outboxing Garcia over 12 rounds for an uncontroversial win by unanimous decision.
    Romero delivered the shock of the night after outboxing Garcia over 12 rounds for an uncontroversial win by unanimous decision.
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