Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios: A High-Stakes Showdown
Ryan Garcia is set to face Mario Barrios this Saturday in a highly anticipated match in Las Vegas, with stakes that could propel Garcia back into the spotlight of boxing. After previously holding an interim title in the lightweight division, Garcia aims to secure the WBC welterweight championship currently held by Barrios—a victory that could pave the way for a blockbuster showdown with British contender Conor Benn.
Garcia’s Journey and Challenges
Garcia, now 24-2 with 20 knockouts, has encountered hurdles in his pursuit of a championship, including a recent bout where he suffered a defeat against Rolly Romero, marking his second career loss. Additionally, a drug test failure had previously stripped him of a scheduled bout against Devin Haney in 2024, further complicating his journey.
Barrios’ Recent Struggles
Conversely, Barrios, who boasts a record of 29-2-2 with 18 KOs, has been on a rocky path as well, with a lack of victories since May 2024. His fights since then have resulted in two consecutive draws, including a hard-fought battle with Abel Ramos and a disappointing matchup against a past-his-prime Manny Pacquiao last summer.
Fight Details
This weekend’s fight is set for February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena, kicking off with the main card at 1 AM GMT on Sunday (8 PM ET/PT on Saturday). The main event ring walks are anticipated around 4 AM GMT. Fans can catch the fight live via DAZN pay-per-view, priced at £24.99 in the UK and $64.99 in the US, among other international rates.
Betting Odds and Fight Card
Betting odds show a slight favor towards Garcia at 4/9, while Barrios stands at 7/4, and a draw is listed at 16/1, as provided by Betway. Below is the full fight card, which remains subject to adjustments:
- Mario Barrios (C) vs. Ryan Garcia (WBC welterweight title)
- Richardson Hitchins (C) vs. Oscar Duarte (IBF super-lightweight title)
- Gary Antuanne Russell (C) vs. Andy Hiraoka (WBA super-lightweight title)
- Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright (super-lightweight)
- Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko (super-middleweight)
Conclusion
Garcia’s progress to this title match has certainly been colored by inconsistencies both professionally and personally, but a win could finally mark the beginning of a promising chapter in his boxing career, along with a potential clash with top fighters awaiting him down the line.
