Upcoming Boxing Match: Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios
The upcoming boxing match between Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios has been formally confirmed, and fans are eagerly anticipating the clash. Scheduled for February 21st at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, this contest will see Barrios defend his WBC welterweight championship title against Garcia. The bout is set to be a grand event funded by Turki Alalshikh and will be available exclusively on DAZN via both pay-per-view and DAZN Ultimate.
Fighter Profiles
Ryan Garcia, boasting a record of 24 wins and 2 losses with 20 knockouts, faced disappointment in his last outing. In May, he experienced a significant setback when he was knocked down by Rolando “Rolly” Romero during their fight for the WBA “regular” welterweight title, ultimately losing in a unanimous decision that stunned many boxing fans. This match was particularly important for Garcia, marking his first attempt at a world title. His aspirations to challenge Devin Haney for the WBC super lightweight title in 2024 were thwarted after he missed weight by 3.25 pounds, making the championship fight no longer valid. Before his recent difficulties, Garcia underwent hand surgery due to an injury sustained during his training.
On the other hand, Mario Barrios, holding a professional record of 29 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws with 18 knockouts, managed to secure a controversial majority draw against the boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in July. Many observers believed that Pacquiao did enough to earn the win and claim the title of the oldest welterweight champion in history. Prior to this, Barrios also faced a draw against Abel Ramos in an undercard bout during the high-profile fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. His past encounters with notable boxers Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Keith Thurman resulted in losses, adding pressure to his upcoming fight with Garcia.
Future Implications
Looking ahead, Conor Benn, who recently triumphed over Chris Eubank Jr. in a match held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, is eyeing the winner of the Garcia-Barrios bout intensely. Benn has been designated the mandatory challenger for the title by the WBC during their December convention, setting the stage for potentially exciting matchups in the future.
