NEW YORK – Not many people took Rolando “Rolly” Romero seriously when he said throughout this promotion that Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney could still fight again after he beat the heavily favored Garcia on Friday night in Times Square.

Now the 26-year-old rivals have the opportunity to take him up on it.

Romero ruined their rematch by upsetting Garcia in the 12-round main event of The Ring’s “FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves” outdoor card. The hard-hitting Romero dropped Garcia with a left hook, of all things, in the second round, which made Garcia reluctant to engage thereafter on his way to losing a unanimous decision.

Judges Tony Paolillo (115-112) and Tom Schreck (115-112) scored seven rounds apiece for Romero, who improved to 17-2 (13 KOs). Judge Waleska Roldan scored 10 rounds for Romero, who won 118-109 on her card in a fight that lacked drama beyond what occurred during the second round.

“I mean, knockdowns always help [you win] the fight,” Romero told The Ring’s Mike Coppinger in his post-fight interview. “But he’s a warrior. He got up and, you know, he finished the fight.”

The 29-year-old Romero redeemed himself after losing by technical knockout to rival Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Isaac Cruz in two of his previous four fights. Garcia entered the ring as an 11-1 favorite, according to DraftKings, in what was the first fight for both at the welterweighgt limit of 147 pounds.

Romero, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, protected himself well against Garcia’s vaunted left hook by keeping his right hand held high, near his jaw, for much of their fight.

The former WBA super lightweight champion didn’t land many damaging punches beyond the left hook that completely changed the complexion of their fight in the second round.

Garcia wasn’t active, either, which CompuBox’s unofficial punch stats reflected.

CompuBox credited Romero and Garcia for landing only 18 power punches apiece in 12 rounds. Garcia landed nine more punches overall, according to CompuBox’s final tally (66-of-210 to 57-of-280).

Garcia consequently failed to secure his place in what was a highly anticipated rematch with Haney before Friday night. Garcia’s rival cemented his spot in their second bout by beating Jose Ramirez unanimously in an unfathomably boring 12-rounder before Garcia faced Romero.

It is no longer clear whether Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs, 1 NC), of Victorville, California, and Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC), of Henderson, Nevada, will still fight again sometime in October. They signed contracts before they boxed Friday night for their 12-round rematch.

“Man, I ain’t even thinking about what’s next,” Romero said. “I think Devin and Ryan should get their rematch and make a big one.”

Haney and Garcia each fought Friday night for the first time since Garcia dropped him three times and beat him by majority decision last April 20 at nearby Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The result of Haney’s first professional defeat was changed to a no-contest because Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a banned substance.

Garcia was also suspended for a year and fined $1.2 million by the New York State Athletic Commission.

While Romero hits hard, he was seen as a somewhat safe opponent for Garcia despite his long layoff. Their fight didn’t unfold that way at all.

Sensing Garcia was behind on the scorecards, trainer Derrick James implored him to let his hands go between the 10th and 11th rounds. Garcia’s remained reluctant to engaged during the 11th and 12th rounds and only flicked his jab at Romero, who didn’t land many flush punches either, in the final six minutes.

Romero’s right connected with just under 45 seconds on the clock in the 10th round. Romero swung wildly and almost fell down after missing a right hand with just over a minute to go in the 10th round.

A left hook by Romero landed on the inside with just over 1:40 to go in the 10th round.

Romero was aggressive early in the ninth round, when he landed a right hand as he backed Garcia into the ropes. Garcia kept Romero from getting inside with his jab.

After an uneventful seventh round in which neither fighter connected cleanly, Garcia pumped his jab for much of the eighth round. Garcia still seemed somewhat reluctant to exchange with Romero, who landed two punches a few seconds before the eighth round ended.

Garcia’s left hook partially clipped Romero a little less than 30 seconds into the sixth round.

An overhand right by Garcia connected just before the midway mark of the fifth round. Garcia and Romero landed a left hook early in the fifth round, which caused them to wrestle for several seconds.

Neither Garcia nor Romero landed impactful punches in a fourth round that lacked action.

A left hook by Garcia connected with just over 50 seconds to go in the third round. A right hand by Garcia landed to the side of Romero’s head as he retreated toward the end of the third round.

After failing to work his way inside during the first round, Romero moved into position to land a left hook that sent Garcia to the canvas 14 seconds into the second round. Garcia got up pretty quickly and seemed more surprised than hurt by Romero’s punches.

A right hand by Romero nailed Garcia just after the midway mark of the second round as well.

Garcia worked effectively off his jab and kept Romero at a safe distance throughout the first round. Romero remained out of punching range that entire round.

Eleven rounds later, Garcia found himself in a position he wouldn’t have believed before it actually happened.

“You know, just Rollies, man, he fought a good fight,” Garcia said. “He caught me early. No excuses, man. Congrats to him. He did a great job and that’s that.”

Garcia recognizes that inactivity definitely didn’t help his cause once ending a long layoff against Romero.

“I just think that whole year just took a lot of my body physically and mentally,” Garcia said. “I’m just happy that I made it to the ring and went 12 rounds. So, thank God for the opportunity. I wanna thank Jesus Christ for my losses and my wins. And hats off to Rollies. He did a great job.”