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- Ryan Garcia defeated Mario Barrios by unanimous decision to win the WBC welterweight title.
- The victory marked Garcia’s first career world title after a tumultuous two-year period.
- Following the win, Garcia called out WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Ryan Garcia has his redemption.
After a tumultuous past two years, which saw him suspended and suffer his second career defeat, Garcia returned to the ring on Feb. 21 and pitched a near shutout as he defeated Mario Barrios by unanimous decision to claim the WBC welterweight title, the first world title of his career.
The judges scored the bout 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.
“I just showed my amateur pedigree. I can box,” Garcia said in the ring afterwards. “I can move, I can box, I can take my time. I don’t always just have to go for the knockout. I didn’t want to get too ahead of myself, Mario was countering (with) a lot of fast shots … I didn’t want to get caught with a big shot so I took my time in there and picked my shots.”
Garcia set the tone in the opening seconds of the first round, landing a pair of thumping right hands which dropped Barrios to the canvas with a look of disappointment plastered across his face. It wouldn’t get much better from there for Barrios, who had no answer for Garcia’s superior speed, power and footwork.
Known for his thundering left hook, Garcia found equally as much success with the right hand against Barrios, which Garcia revealed afterwards was injured. After years of working with some of boxing’s most acclaimed trainers, including Eddy Reynoso, Joe Goossen and Derrick James, Garcia’s father served as his lead trainer for this bout, a move many questioned in the buildup.
“It’s like it was written (in) a story,” Garcia said of winning with his father. “It was something that I wouldn’t want any other way.”
Barrios was trained by Goossen for this bout, a move which sparked much discussion from Garcia and his father in the buildup, going as far as to call Goossen a traitor. Barrios was coming off of back-to-back draws against Abel Ramos and a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao.
“That’s the performance I expected from him,” Goossen said. “What we needed to do more of was press a little bit more. He’s a difficult guy to track down. He’s very elusive, he’s very fleet of foot, quick handed. Mario tried his best and took his big shots early and a few in the mid rounds, but for the most part he took everything Ryan gave him and kept on coming …”
After the bout Garcia called out WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson, who was ringside for the bout. Stevenson won the WBO 140-pound title in his divisional debut against Teofimo Lopez on Jan. 31, while Garcia could also turn to a highly anticipated rematch against WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.
“You know who I want, he’s right there, Shakur Stevenson let’s go … I’ll fight Devin Haney, I’ll fight Shakur Stevenson, I’ll fight anybody.”
See below for The Tennessean’s live updates from throughout the Garcia vs. Barrios fight card.
- Ryan Garcia def. Mario Barrios by unanimous decision
- Gary Antuanne Russell def. Andy Hiraoka by unanimous decision
- Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright − unanimous draw
- Bektemir Melikuziev def. Sena Agbeko by TKO in Round 7
- Amari Jones def. Luis Arias by TKO in Round 4
- Mohammed Alakel def. David Calabro by TKO in Round 2
- Joshua Edwards def. Brandon Colantonio by unanimous decision
It’s been a dominant showing from Garcia, who is three minutes away from his first career world title. Barrios not showing much urgency to start the round, but he does connect on a solid looping shot as he punches with Garcia in the center. Garcia takes a couple body shots from Barrios in the corner before pushing him over once again. Garcia now taps Barrios with a right hook before returning to range as we head into the final minute. Garcia was in complete control from start to finish, leaving zero doubt as the final bell rings.
We’re into the championship rounds and Barrios will no doubt need a knockout to win. Barrios is stepping forward behind the jab but not landing anything thus far. Not long after Barrios does land down to the body, but Garcia is unbothered as he remains in the pocket. Garcia pumping the jab now and holding his ground as we head into the final minute. Garcia cracks Barrios with a left hook and then a straight right, on cruise control late in the eleventh.
Garcia lands an early left hook, continuing the trend of strong starts to the rounds tonight. Combinations flying forward from Garcia and he lands a pair of shots to Barrios’s head before eating a countershot in response. Midway through, Barrios has a moment on the inside working Garcia’s body, but Garcia takes the punches in stride. Garcia now lets a flurry of straight shots loose and lands clean on Barrios’s chin. Garcia takes the final 30 or so seconds off, looking real comfortable with everything coming his way.
Garcia sticking the jab in Barrios’s face early and landing. Garcia continues whipping hooks toward Barrios, connecting on more than he’s missing. As we head into the second half of the round, Garcia steps forward behind a combination and pops the head of Barrios back with a straight shot. Barrios is tapping the body of Garcia, but can’t do much more. Late on, Garcia thumps Barrios again with a pair of looping shots before returning to range, closing out another solid round.
Barrios holding the center of the ring as Garcia pumps the jab early with success. Now Garcia thumps Barrios with a hook the head, momentarily sending him onto the back foot. Barrios continues pressing forward but so far has been unable to land any damaging shots on Garcia. Quieter eighth round, but another round Garcia should take despite slightly less offensive activity.
Halfway through and it’s likely been a clean sweep by Garcia. Early on Garcia lands up top before following with a hook to the body, a money combination for him thus far. Garcia steps to Barrios now and pops his head back with a straight shot but is unable to follow up. As we enter the final minute, Garcia lets a flurry of hooks loose and connects at least a couple clean shots on Barrios’s head. The jab of Garcia has been a solid weapon tonight as well, as he works from the outside. Barrios landed a couple solid body shots late, but it was still Garcia’s round.
Early right hook followed by a left to the body land for Garcia before he pushes Barrios to the canvas momentarily. Now Garcia is holding his ground in the center of the ring and steps forward to land a clean right hook. Barrios tries to step out onto the front foot but doesn’t have the output to push back Garcia. Inside the final minute, Garcia catches Barrios with a right hand before following with a clean left hook to the body that draws a reaction from the crowd.
Garcia stumbles Barrios in the opening seconds of the round with a right hook but Barrios manages to keep his feet. Not long after Garcia steps inside behind the right hand once again and connects with Barrios backed against the ropes. Barrios lunging with jabs to the body but hasn’t been able to connect many cleanly on Garcia. Garcia backing Barrios up now as he lets power punches loose. Late in the round Garcia works the left hand before stepping forward and landing the right hook clean. It’s all Garcia through five.
Garcia opens the round with a pair of one-twos and connects to the head of Barrios. Now a right hook from Garcia connects before he follows up with an additional pair of hooks moments later. Barrios lands a solid straight shot, getting a nod from Garcia before he responds with a strong body shot which connects clean. Again Garcia pounds Barrios with a clean right hand, but Barrios remains in the pocket throwing back, just not landing with much success. Another good round from Garcia.
Garcia instantly out on the front foot working combinations, but nothing landing cleanly yet. Straight right hand comes in from Garcia and seemingly connects on the forehead of Barrios. Barrios now taps the body of Garcia before eating a body shot in response. Garcia working from the corner now and lands a right hand to the head of Barrios, who’s unable to respond. Barrios unable to land more than a shot or two at a time, while Garcia has connected with relative ease thus far.
Garcia sitting on the outside looking to land big overhand shots as Barrios presses forward. Garcia now whipping hooks to keep Barrios honest as he works from the front foot and lands with the left hand. Garcia thumps Barrios with a left hook but it’s taken well as we enter the final minute. Barrios continues to connect with the left to the body but they’re just glancing shots, not doing much damage. Garcia closes the round with a solid hook which seemingly landed clean.
We’re underway as Garcia looks to win his first career world title against the WBC champion Barrios. Garcia opens the round with a solid right hook and moments later sends Barrios to the canvas with a straight right hand! We’re not even 45 seconds in and Barrios has been knocked down, but beats the count and seems to have his legs under him. Garcia now working around the outside of the ring and has landed a couple solid body shots. 10-8 round for Garcia to start.
Gary Antuanne Russell was taken to the brink in the first defense of his WBA junior welterweight title, but emerged victorious over Andy Hiraoka, claiming a unanimous decision in tonight’s co-main event. The judges scored the bout 117-110, 116-111 and 116-111.
Russell controlled the opening rounds with his activity and pressure, but as the fight progressed, the formerly unbeaten Hiraoka began to find success digging to Russell’s body as he took over the role of aggressor in the ring. As the momentum seemingly shifted in Hiraoka’s favor late, the 10th round saw a pair of low blows from Hiraoka result in a point deduction.
Russell and Hiraoka battled back and forth through the final two rounds, and ultimately the judges preferred the early aggression and combination punching of Russell, who improved to 19-1 with the win.
See round-by-round updates from the fight below.
Round 12: Everything to fight for as we enter the final three minutes! Russell lands some solid body shots early on before the pair briefly clinch up. Russell now connects on a left to the head of Hiraoka before ducking out of danger. Hiraoka has a moment landing a pair of body shots along the ropes as we head toward the final minute. They exchange on the ropes now, neither landing cleanly. Hiraoka steps onto the front foot late and is sitting down on some real hard punches as they trade shots before the final bell.
Round 11: Into the championship rounds and it seems to be close on the cards, even with the point deduction last round. Hiraoka tracking Russell down around the outside and they’re each able to connect on some solid body shots, with Russell seemingly landing the harder punches. Russell connecting on a few hooks to the chin of Hiraoka now in the center, taking over momentarily on the front foot. Now Hiraoka lands a pair of strong body shots, but Russell lands in response moments later. Hiraoka now backs Russell into the ropes late and lands, but only momentarily before Russell escapes into space. Hiraoka ends the round with a couple solid connects to the head of Russell.
Round 10: The round opens with a low blow from Hiraoka on Russell, who will now get time to recover. We’re back underway not long after. Russell working combinations from close range but unable to land cleanly as they exchange early on. Hiraoka showing good defense from the outside this round, avoiding many of Russell’s flurries. Moments later Russell lets his hand go in the center, but only connects a couple glancing blows. Now there’s another low blow which sends Russell down, this one seemingly doing more damage than the last as we take another break. Hiraoka is deducted a point, which could prove crucial.
Round 9: Hiraoka connects the jab early on as he holds the center of the ring, but Russell responds with a flurry moments later before tossing Hiraoka to the side and earning a brief warning from the referee. Russell now sits down on his punches at close range, connecting to the body then head of Hiraoka. Russell continues working the body from the outside and has landed a couple solid shots in between clinches. Hiraoka now letting strong hooks fly to the body and has landed a handful cleanly. Russell responds with body shots while the pair lean on each other late. Tightly contested round.
Round 8: Russell working the jab more this round, dropping some of his former aggression, and Hiraoka has stepped onto the front foot to capitalize, landing some solid body shots. Russell letting combinations loose but not able to connect clean as he grapples with the pressure of Hiraoka. After hardly throwing to the body in the opening rounds, Hiraoka has begun to stack some real nice body connects these past couple rounds. Momentum seemingly changing but the rounds remain competitive.
Round 7: Russell back on the front foot now pumping shots, but thus far Hiraoka has maintained the distance well. Now it’s Hiraoka taking on the role of aggressor, getting inside and landing some solid shots to Russell’s body which get the crowd going. Russell now counters with a clean hook to the head as Hiraoka leans on him. Russell lands a strong body shot himself now but Hiraoka counters with a couple punches to the head. Russell landed a few solid punches at close range down the stretch but best shots came from Hiraoka that round.
Round 6: Hiraoka lands a nice left hand to the body early in the round as Russell closes the gap, but Russell responded back with a couple solid connects of his own. Hiraoka pushing forward once again and working the jab, but is yet to break inside. Breaking out of a clinch Hiraoka lands a pair of strong shots on Russell before getting countered back to the body. Hiraoka finding some real success on the front foot that round, with Russell unable to stack as many clean connects from the outside.
Round 5: Russell pressing the action early and lands with a flurry to Hiraoka’s body. Again Russell has a moment along the ropes as he connects a few punches to the body of Hiraoka before following with a shot to the head which lands. Hiraoka beginning to step out onto the front foot a bit more but is yet to land a real significant shot entering the final minute. Russell now lands a solid right hand which put Hiraoka on the back foot before following to the body just before the bell.
Round 4: Russell tracking Hiraoka down around the outside of the ring, who continues to work a stiff jab. Russell has a moment along the ropes as he lands and overhand left before Hiraoka escapes into space. Now there’s a momentary pause after a head clash which left Hiraoka pawing at his mouth. The round closes with Russell working a combination to Hiraoka’s body against the ropes before Hiraoka counters with a solid left hand.
Round 3: Russell tags the body of Hiraoka early as he looks to close the gap. Now Russell backs Hiraoka into the corner and lets his hands go, landing a couple clean power shots. It’s not long before Russell has Hiraoka back against the ropes and let’s a flurry of hard punches loose on Hiraoka’s body before following up to the head. Hiraoka still primarily working behind the jab and Russell’s aggression should give him the round.
Round 2: Hiraoka doing his best to keep the range, but early on Russell backs him into the ropes and lets his hands go, landing a couple nice body shots. Not much more than a jab coming from Hiraoka as Russell tracks him down across the ring. Solid left hand comes from Hiraoka now, smacking the gloves of Russell. Russell worked the body of Hiraoka well in the clinch, but neither fighter landed too many clean shots that round.
Round 1: Russell enters into the first defense of his WBA title reign, facing the unbeaten Hiraoka, who arrived in Las Vegas just days ago from Japan. We’re underway and Hiraoka opens working the jab from the outside while Russell holds the center of the ring. Hiraoka continues pumping the jab but nothing landing yet for either fighter midway through. Russell works his way inside now and is able to land a few body shots while clinched. Very quiet round, but best moments came from Russell.
Frank Martin and Nahir Albright battled back and forth for 10 evenly matched rounds, ending in a unanimous decision draw with all three judges scoring the bout 95-95.
The fight ebbed and flowed throughout, with both fighters trading the momentum over the 10 rounds. Just as Martin looked to be gaining a foothold on the bout in the middle rounds, Albright surged back to keep himself in contention entering the final six minutes of the bout.
Martin impressed in the ninth, but Albright came right back in the 10th and final round, shaking Martin with a strong two-punch combination and controlling the remainder of the action to secure the draw on the cards. In the midst of Albright’s late onslaught, his mouthpiece came out twice, giving Martin just enough time to recover ahead of the final bell.
See round-by-round updates from the fight below.
Round 10: Final round of the fight and while Martin may just have the edge, it could still seemingly go either way. Albright trades with Martin in the center and lands a big left hook which seems to buzz Martin. Martin clinches to avoid further damage but is looking hurt in there. Albright whipping wild shots as Martin looks to regain his footing. Albright clocks Martin with a straight shot to the chin now and we enter a second stoppage for a loose mouthpiece, giving Martin additional time to recover. Good round to close by Albright, should be close on the cards.
Round 9: Penultimate round of the fight and it looks to be close on the scorecards heading into the final six minutes. They’re going to work to start the ninth and Martin has landed a few glancing shots on the front foot. Now Martin lands a solid left hand that may have shaken Albright, but Albright continues to throw in response. Martin a step faster than Albright on the inside this round. Albright now bleeding from a cut above his right eye. Martin ends the round getting the better of an exchange just before the bell.
Round 8: Early on each fighter trades jabs from range before tying up in a clinch. They’re back to exchanging and Albright lands a couple shots to the head, but Martin holds his ground. Trading toe-to-toe in the center now, each fighter connects but the best shots are coming from the right hand of Albright. Good round from Albright, who stayed throwing on the front foot while avoiding the best of Martin’s counters.
Round 7: Martin remaining patient as Albright paws to his body early, picking his spots to let his hands go on the inside. Albright steps forward now and lands a combination to the head of Martin, who counters with a left hand before getting caught with a pair of straight shots moments later. Martin now popping Albright with glancing shots but soon after takes a strong left hand from Albright. Exchanging in the inside late, each fighter looks to land a handful of solid shots just before the bell rings.
Round 6: Albright connects a couple glancing shots early, but Martin is staying in the pocket and picking out counterpunches to his body. Martin holding the center of the ring now as he pumps the jab and looks to set up power punches. Now Martin’s working quick combinations as he steps inside, landing well both up top and to the body. Overhand left lands for Albright inside the final minute, but it does nothing to slow Martin, who steps back out onto the front foot right after and lands a few solid body shots before the bell.
Round 5: Martin pawing the body of Albright with the jab early and sets up a straight left hand which lands. Now Martin’s landing some short body shots on the inside, but nothing connecting too cleanly for either fighter so far. Another solid uppercut connects for Martin on the inside, but Albright continues to press forward. Now Martin catches him with a hook as Albright presses the action late. Just before the final bell Martin connects on a solid left hand to close out a good round for him.
Round 4: Trading on the inside early Albright is able to connect a couple body shots, but it’s not long before Martin lands a pair of his own punches down low. Now Albright lands a short right hand on the inside as Martin presses the action. Albright making things messy, not giving Martin much space as he initiates clinch after clinch, but Martin’s still finding a handful of openings. Neither fighter able to gain much of a foothold through four.
Round 3: Plenty of clinching early on in the round as neither fighter will allow the other space to land. Albright lands a solid left hand now as he lets his hands go while breaking away from the clinch. Martin looks to go down to the body and lands a couple glancing shots before being countered to the head by Albright. Just before the final bell, Albright connects on an uppercut, closing out a quieter round for both fighters.
Round 2: Albright lands an early right hand over the top and Martin responds with a couple muffled shots on the inside. Martin now looking to set up the straight left hand but Albright has avoided it well thus far. Fighting from close range, Albright lands a couple body shots as they exchange heading into the final minute. Martin now lands an uppercut followed by a looping left which put Albright on the back foot just before the final bell.
Round 1: We’re underway and Albright is holding the center of the ring while Martin works from the outside to start. Martin doing some good work to the body early as Albright looks to close the range. Albright using his superior reach thus far to keep Martin at range in large part. Albright landing some clean shots to the body but Martin has taken them well. Late in the round Martin lands a left hook over the top before the pair close out trading punches in the clinch.
“Bek the Bully” Melikuziev improved his win streak to 10 fights as he stopped Nashville’s Sena Agbeko in the seventh round on the undercard of Garcia vs. Barrios. It was Melikuziev’s first stoppage finish since April 2024, as he outlanded Agbeko 117 to 29 in power punches.
Melikuziev controlled the bout from start to finish, utilizing superior movement to bounce in and out of range while peppering Agbeko with hooks to the head and body. Late in the seventh round, Melikuziev landed a right hook which left Agbeko on shaky legs and a subsequent shot square on the chin sent Agbeko down to the canvas.
Agbeko would beat the referee’s count, but upon resuming the bout it only took a single right hand to the chin from Melikuziev for the referee to call a halt to the bout, despite protests from Agbeko in the ring.
See round-by-round updates from the fight below.
Round 7: Melikuziev holding his ground in the center and pivoting away from the counters of Agbeko as he connects looping shots on the inside. Melikuziev pounds Agbeko with a pair of body shots now and Agbeko can’t track him down for a response. Melikuziev’s been moving virtually non-stop this fight. Melikuziev continues to pound away with the hook and now he stumbles Agbeko once again! Agbeko stays up but only momentarily before another shot from Melikuziev drops him! There are only moments remaining and after resuming action Melikuziev lands one shot before the referee steps in and stops the bout, despite Agbeko’s protests.
Round 6: Melikuziev staying active on his feet as he looks to work his way inside on Agbeko, so far finding some early success with the straight shots between Agbeko’s guard. Melikuziev holding his ground in the center of the ring and lands a strong two-punch combination, hooking to Agbeko’s body then head. Now Melikuziev lands a left hand that seems to hurt Agbeko, but Melikuziev doesn’t step on the gas and Agbeko seemingly regains his feet. A strong left hook is landed by Melikuziev down the stretch but Agbeko again takes it well. Melikuziev in control but Agbeko showing heart as he eats these shots.
Round 5: Melikuziev opens with a solid right hook over Agbeko’s guard, but has eaten a couple shots in response as he remains within range. Melikuziev continues to work from the pocket and connect with the left up top. Agbeko’s not been active or mobile enough to stop the pressure of Melikuziev. Melikuziev is plodding around the outside of the ring late, looking for a way inside and eats a couple straight shots from Agbeko as he tries to find an opening for another left hand.
Round 4: Can Melikuziev capitalize after hurting Agbeko in Round 3? He’s pressing the action and eats an early left hook as Agbeko pushes back, but it’s not long before Melikuziev is connecting a left hand himself. There’s a timeout for an accidental clash of heads which cut Melikuziev over the right eye. We’re back underway and Melikuziev steps on the gas, pumping the left hand into the face of Agbeko. Melikuziev continues to bounce in and out of range and Agbeko catches him with a hook to the chin as he moves out of range late. Melikuziev closes with a couple nice lefts to the body.
Round 3: Early on Agbeko steps out onto the front foot and Melikuziev lands a pair of hooks to the body then head. Agbeko moving around the outside now and Melikuziev tracks him down and unloads a handful of punches in the corner, connecting to Agbeko’s chin. Agbeko staying stationary in the ring at times and Melikuziev is capitalizing, whipping shots to his head. Melikuziev now lands another thumping body shot followed by a punch to the head and Agbeko stumbles back on wobbly legs! He catches himself though and will fight on with a little under a minute to go. Melikuziev pounding away on the body late but Agbeko survives the round.
Round 2: Melikuziev standing in the pocket along the outside of the ring and trading well early on in the round. Melikuziev looking light on his feet as he moves into range and continues to fling left hooks to the body of Agbeko. Midway through the round now Melikuziev is continuing to push forward whipping some strong hooks, but Agbeko is taking the shots well. Melikuziev moving in and out, unleashing one to two shots with success before retreating back into space.
Round 1: Nashville’s own Agbeko looks to pull an upset at 168 pounds tonight as he takes on Melikuziev. We’re underway and it’s Melikuziev holding the center of the ring and landing a couple early left hands on Agbeko. Melikuziev continues to apply the pressure, but midway through the round now Agbeko’s movement around the outside has largely kept him out of danger. Agbeko winding up with some solid single shots but it’s Melikuziev landing the cleaner punches. Good, active round on the front foot by Melikuziev, landing some solid lefts to the body.
DAZN’s pay-per-view coverage of the Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios fight card will begin at 4:45 p.m. (CT) on Feb. 21, with ring walks for the main event expected at approximately 10:45 p.m. (CT).
- Fight card start: 4:45 p.m. CT
- Garcia vs. Barrios ring walks: approx. 10:45 p.m. CT
Watch Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios on DAZN PPV
Where to watch Ryan Garcia fight vs Mario Barrios
The Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios fight card can be streamed exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view, while also available with a DAZN Ultimate subscription.
Is the Ryan Garcia fight free? Pay-per-view price
The Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios headlined fight card is available through DAZN pay-per-view for $69.99.
Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios full fight card
- Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) vs. Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs); WBC welterweight title
- Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) vs. Andy Hiraoka (24-0, 19 KOs); WBA junior welterweight title
- Frank Martin (19-1, 13 KOs) vs. Nahir Albright (17-2, 7 KOs)
- Bektemir Melikuziev (16-1, 10 KOs) vs. Sena Agbeko (29-4, 23 KOs)
- Amari Jones (15-0, 13 KOs) vs Luis Arias (22-6-1, 11 KOs)
- Mohammed Alakel (7-0, 1 KO) vs. David Calabro (5-1, 3 KOs)
- Joshua Edwards (5-0, 5 KOs) vs. Brandon Colantonio (7-1, 1 KO)
The co-main event between Richardson Hitchins and Oscar Duarte for the IBF junior welterweight title has been canceled, with Hitchins unable to compete due to illness.
Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios odds
Ahead of fight night, Ryan Garcia is a -250 favorite to emerge with the WBC title, while Barrios is a +195 underdog to retain his belt. The over/under is set at 10.5 rounds.
- Garcia by KO/TKO: +120
- Garcia by decision: +240
- Barrios by KO/TKO: +750
- Barrios by decision: +320
Odds via DraftKings, as of Feb. 21
Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios fight location
The Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios fight card will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both fighters have previously fought twice at T-Mobile Arena.
- T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Ryan Garcia record
Ryan Garcia is 24-2 with 20 wins by knockout.
Garcia has suffered two losses in his last four fights; a knockout defeat to Gervonta Davis in 2023 and a unanimous decision defeat to Rolly Romero in his most recent fight last May. In between those losses Garcia defeated Oscar Duarte and Devin Haney, the ladder of which was later overturned to a no contest.
Garcia is ranked No. 4 at welterweight by the WBC and is unranked by the remaining sanctioning bodies.
Ryan Garcia weight, height, age
Ryan Garcia is 27 years old and stands at 5-foot-8½ with a 70-inch reach. Garcia began his career fighting at catchweight around the lightweight divisions’ 135-pound limit before moving to 140 pounds in 2023. He made his welterweight debut last May.
Mario Barrios record
Mario Barrios is 29-2-2 with 18 wins by knockout.
Barrios has held the WBC welterweight title since being elevated from interim status in May 2024. He’s since fought twice, retaining his title each time after fighting to a draw against both Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao. His two defeats came in back-to-back fights, first by TKO against “Tank” Davis in 2021 before then losing by decision to Keith Thurman the following year.
Barrios is ranked No. 2 at welterweight by ESPN and No. 9 by The Ring.
Mario Barrios age, weight, reach
Mario Barrios is 30 years old and stands 6-0 with a 71-inch reach.
After beginning his career fighting around the junior featherweight division’s 122-pound limit, Barrios has steadily moved up through featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight and now welterweight, where he’s fought since 2022.
Mario Barrios trainer
As Barrios enters his third world title defense there’s a new presence in his corner in legendary trainer Joe Goossen, who previously trained Garcia for three fights between 2022 and 2023, including his stoppage defeat to Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
Garcia and his father have been outspoken in the leadup to the bout regarding Goossen’s decision, calling him a traitor at January’s opening press conference. Barrios has insisted his decision to train with Goossen had nothing to do with his familiarity with Garcia.
“It hurt me when (Goossen) didn’t show up after my ‘Tank’ loss. That was a pretty big defeat and I didn’t see him after the fight,” Garcia said in January. “Before that camp, he was pretty cool. We had a lot of great moments and that’s where you build a relationship with your coach. It shifted when a big money fight comes along and a lot of people are involved. I’m a little disappointed in his decision to go against me but that’s what fires me up.”
Boxing this weekend
- Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington; Nottingham, England; 1 p.m. (CT) Feb. 21 on DAZN
- Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios; Las Vegas, Nevada; 4:45 p.m. (CT) Feb. 21 on DAZN PPV
- Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn; Detroit, Michigan; 7 p.m. (CT) Feb. 22 on DAZN
Harrison Campbell covers boxing for The Tennessean and high school sports for The Daily Herald. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on Twitter @hccamp.
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