Ryan Garcia Seeks First World Title Against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas
This weekend in Las Vegas, divisive American boxer Ryan Garcia will attempt to capture his first fully-fledged world championship when he challenges compatriot Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title. The high-stakes bout could potentially set the stage for a massive future clash with British star Conor Benn, adding significant intrigue to an already compelling matchup.
Fighters' Backgrounds and Recent Form
Ryan Garcia, known as "King Ryan," previously held interim gold at lightweight but has faced numerous obstacles in his pursuit of a world championship. The 27-year-old's career has been marked by inconsistency both inside and outside the ring, with his most recent bout resulting in a knockdown and points loss to Rolly Romero. This marked Garcia's second career defeat, while a failed drug test also cost him a 2024 victory over Devin Haney.
Mario Barrios, the 30-year-old southpaw champion defending his WBC welterweight belt, enters the fight with his own momentum challenges. The champion has not secured a victory since May 2024, drawing both of his subsequent bouts against Abel Ramos in November 2024 and a 46-year-old, ring-rusty Manny Pacquiao last summer.
Event Details and Viewing Information
The Garcia vs Barrios showdown will take place on Saturday, February 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card is scheduled to begin at 1am GMT on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday), with main-event ring walks expected around 4am GMT on Sunday (8pm PT / 10pm CT / 11pm ET on Saturday).
Worldwide streaming will be available exclusively through DAZN pay-per-view, with pricing set at £24.99 in the United Kingdom, $64.99 in the United States, and the equivalent of $19.99 in other countries. Viewers can purchase the fight directly through DAZN's platform, which also offers subscription plans starting from £15.99 per month.
Betting Odds and Full Fight Card
Current betting odds favor Garcia at 4/9, with Barrios at 7/4 and a draw priced at 16/1. The complete fight card, subject to potential changes, features several championship bouts alongside the main event.
Main Event:- 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)
Garcia enters the contest with a professional record of 24 wins and 2 losses, including 20 knockouts, while Barrios stands at 29 victories, 2 defeats, and 2 draws with 18 knockouts. A victory for Garcia would not only realize his long-held world championship dream but could potentially position him for a lucrative matchup against Conor Benn in the near future.
