Ryan Garcia won the WBC welterweight title by defeating Mario Barrios over twelve rounds, however the shift didn’t alter the order at 147 kilos. He replaced essentially the most vulnerable champion within the division and now stands in that very same spot.
Garcia boxed with discipline, dropped Barrios early, and relied heavily on a pointy right hand that kept the fight under control. He avoided the reckless exchanges which have hurt him before and delivered certainly one of his more measured performances in years. The win was essential for his profession, especially after a stretch that had forged doubt on his focus and sturdiness.
Barrios entered the ring because the titleholder, yet his standing at welterweight had long been fragile. Before his back to back draws with Abel Ramos and 46 12 months old Manny Pacquiao, he had won three straight in 2023 and early 2024 against Jovanie Santiago, Fabian Maidana and Yordenis Ugas.
Those victories positioned him to be elevated to WBC champion, but none got here against fighters widely viewed because the strongest names in the burden class. Earlier in his run he had been stopped by Gervonta Davis and beaten by Keith Thurman, results that placed him as competitive but not commanding at 147.
That fame followed him into the fight, as Barrios was widely seen because the belt holder that other champions would pursue first, as a substitute of the fighter controlling the division.
By defeating him, Garcia didn’t filter out the sector or force a reshuffling at the highest. He stepped directly into the role Barrios occupied. Devin Haney and Rolando Romero remain ahead by way of proven strength at welterweight, and each present problems Garcia has not yet answered contained in the ring. Even younger fighters hovering near the division project as difficult nights based on speed, timing, and physical pressure.
Garcia now holds the WBC belt, and that offers him the standing he lacked a 12 months ago. Contained in the division, he occupies the identical vulnerable position Barrios held before him, carrying a title that places him directly within the line of fireside..
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Last Updated on 2026/02/22 at 12:23 PM