Ryan Garcia Fight Puts WBC Welterweight Title on the Line in Las Vegas
The ryan garcia fight in Las Vegas on Saturday will put Mario Barrios' WBC welterweight title on the line, with Garcia listed as the betting favorite and Barrios insisting his championship focus is unchanged.
Ryan Garcia Fight draws attention away from Barrios
Mario Barrios enters the ring as the WBC welterweight champion for the second fight in a row and said he isn't bothered that much of the attention is on Garcia. Barrios, who is 29-2-2, pointed to his work in the gym and said, “I know I'm the champion for a reason. ” The champion's last high-profile outing came in July against Manny Pacquiao, a fight two judges scored a draw while a third judge gave Barrios a 115-113 decision.
Garcia's record, controversies and corner makeup the storyline
Garcia is listed at -225 at BetMGM and carries a 24-2 record into the bout. His recent history includes a failed attempt in June 2023 to exit his contract with his promoter and a subsequent lawsuit that was dismissed. In April 2024 he knocked Devin Haney down three times and was initially awarded a majority decision, but that result was overturned to a no contest after a positive drug test; the New York State Athletic Commission suspended Garcia for one year, ordered him to forfeit $1 million and fined him $10, 000. He was arrested in June 2024 on an allegation of damaging a hotel room; that charge was later dropped. The WBC expelled Garcia in July 2024 for remarks made during a livestream, a move that was reversed last November. Fanmio sued Garcia and his promoter in March 2025 after he pulled out of a December 2024 pay-per-view fight with a wrist injury. At a Thursday news conference Garcia was quiet but upbeat about returning to work with his father, Henry, as his trainer, saying, “Technically, we are undefeated together, and we're going to continue the streak. ” Joe Goosen will be in Barrios' corner for the fight.
Other titles on the line in Las Vegas
Two additional title fights are scheduled for the same card: IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0) faces Oscar Duarte (30-2-1), and WBA super lightweight champion Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1) fights Andy Hiraoka (24-0). Those matchups add championship stakes to the undercard alongside the main event.
The bout is set for Saturday in Las Vegas, where Barrios will defend the WBC welterweight belt against Garcia and the undercard will include Hitchins-Duarte and Russell-Hiraoka. Officials and teams will move forward with pre-fight preparations through fight night.
