Ryan Garcia defeated Mario Barrios via a lopsided decision on Saturday, winning the WBC welterweight title in the process.
Garcia knocked out Barrios in the first round, and while he was unable to replicate or improve on that moment as the fight wore on, he maintained complete control throughout.
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After the final bell sounded, Garcia won by unanimous decision (119-108, 120-107, 118-109), becoming the official world champion for the first time.
The precocious 27-year-old previously held the interim lightweight world title, but Saturday marked an even bigger victory for “King Ry” as he defeated Barrios at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garcia is known for his powerful left hook, but it was a clean right cross that lightning-quickly knocked out his fellow American in the first round. A shaken Barrios recovered well, but that was all the 30-year-old champion could do and he failed to mount any meaningful offense as the fight wore on.
Meanwhile, Garcia is surprisingly reliant on right-handed passes, causing problems for his left-handed opponents time and time again. Halfway through the fight, Garcia’s father – his head coach – actually told DAZN that the young boxer’s right hand might have been injured, but Wray used it again shortly after.
Ryan Garcia (right) defeats Mario Barrios (Getty Images)
Still, the combinations worked in his favour, as he easily got over the line in the final rounds to keep Barrios scoreless for the third time in a row. The champion has drawn both of his previous fights, including against 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao last summer.
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Connor Benn is expected to be the next winner of the Vegas main event, with the British star holding mandatory challenger status. However, the situation is further complicated by Ben’s sudden departure from Eddie Hearn’s match room.
On Friday, news broke that Benn would be leaving Matchroom to join rival Zuffa Boxing, an organization led by UFC president Dana White and looking to move away from boxing’s traditional belts.
Regardless of what happens next for Garcia, Saturday’s win was the best moment of his career – which has been far from smooth sailing.
In 2023, Garcia was stopped by Gervonta Davis; in 2024, his victory over Devin Haney was overturned when Garcia failed a drug test; in 2025, after coming off a one-year ban, he was knocked out and defeated by underdog Rolly Romero.
An ecstatic Garcia celebrates his title with his father (center left) (Getty Images)
But Garcia was back to his best against Barrios, saying after the win: “It feels great, man, but honestly, it feels better to be a child of God. I dedicate this to my dad, though.
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“I wanted to show my full arsenal. I believe it was a masterclass, but I should have finished the game. But I injured my right hand, [and] Mario is a strong fighter and a Mexican-American. I’ve hurt him a lot, but like I said, he’s a tough ass son. “
Garcia has also called for a showdown with compatriot Shakur Stevenson, who won the WBO welterweight title belt in January by training with Teofimo Lopez in New York City.
“You know who I want,” Garcia said. “There he is: Shakur Stevenson. Come on, let’s run that shit. I’m not afraid of anything.”