After a 12 months lay-off, a very cautious Haney, who was dropped 3 times by Garcia final 12 months, by no means actually acquired entering into a below-par exhibiting.
He circled across the ring, touchdown the occasional lead left hook, however uncared for his jab as single photographs did sufficient to edge the rounds.
Defensively, it was a sound efficiency by Haney, largely as a result of gun-shy Ramirez did so little.
The judges scored it 119-109, 119-109 and 118-110.
The bout was greatest summed up by Scotland’s former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor, who stated on social media that Haney regarded “terrified” and “frantic”.
Haney-Ramirez sapped the ‘Large Apple’ of its vitality and vibe however the early drama within the headline bout lifted the temper.
Romero landed a stinging double left hook to ground Garcia. It was a flush and hurtful punch which he later adopted with a clubbing proper earlier than Garcia regained his senses.
With each fighters unwilling to over-commit, Romero edged the rounds with higher use of the jab, coupled with Garcia’s tentativeness.
“Get busy,” coach Derrick James pleaded with Garcia earlier than the championship rounds.
The pep speak had no affect as Romero landed a mix to go and physique within the eleventh. Haney, now ringside, was left shaking his head on the remaining bell.
