Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios: Live results, start time, undercard, and Roy Jones Jr.'s final prediction
The latest build-up to the WBC title fight sees ryan garcia challenging Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight belt at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This matchup matters because it pairs a former interim champion trying to reclaim full-world-title status against a defending champion who has navigated controversial results to keep his belt.
Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios: main event details
Mario Barrios defends his WBC welterweight title against ryan garcia in the night's main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Barrios enters the fight with a record of 29-2-2 with 18 KOs; Garcia comes in at 24-2 with 20 KOs. The prelims are slated to begin at 6: 30 p. m. ET, with the main card starting at 8: 00 p. m. ET and main-event ring walks expected around 11: 50 p. m. ET. The main card is being presented on a pay-per-view platform.
Barrios' run as WBC champion and recent form
Barrios won the WBC interim welterweight title in September 2023 by unanimous decision over Yordenis Ugas, was upgraded to full champion in 2024, and has since made two successful defenses. His two most recent decisions were controversial draws, one against Abel Ramos and the most recent versus Manny Pacquiao last July. Barrios previously held the WBA (regular) super lightweight title from 2019 until he lost it to Gervonta "Tank" Davis in 2021. Observers note that Barrios has shown the ability to fight at a high pace for 12 rounds.
Ryan Garcia's trajectory into a world-title shot
Garcia is a former WBC interim lightweight champion who arrives at this title shot after a turbulent period in his career. He suffered a defeat to WBA welterweight champion Rolando "Rolly" Romero in May, which followed a no-contest result in April 2024 against Devin Haney. The Haney result was overturned after Garcia failed a drug test for ostarine; he subsequently served a one-year ban imposed by the New York State Athletic Commission. Garcia also lost to Gervonta "Tank" Davis when he was stopped in the seventh round of a 136-pound catchweight fight in 2023.
Full undercard and notable results
- WBC welterweight title: Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia (main event)
- WBA super lightweight title: Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka
- IBF super lightweight title: Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte — Richardson Hitchins out due to illness; Oscar Duarte bout cancelled
- Super lightweight: Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright
- Super middleweight: Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko
- Middleweight: Amari Jones def. Luis Arias fourth-round TKO (corner retirement)
- Super featherweight: Mohammed Alakel def. David Calabro second-round KO
- Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards def. Brandon Colantonio unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 60-54)
In the Melikuziev–Agbeko contest, action included a right hook–left combination from Melikuziev, the Uzbek breaking Agbeko's guard and landing a heavy right to the body. Melikuziev sustained a cut on the right brow after a clash of heads; his right eye was badly swollen and blood was visible. Agbeko tried to stay active behind the jab and landed short straight shots during moments of the fight. Melikuziev repeatedly targeted the body and mixed left hooks downstairs with right hooks upstairs in the exchanges.
Contender landscape: mandatory challengers and outside complications
Conor Benn was thought to be next in line as the winner’s mandatory challenger, but a shocking development on Friday — a move by Benn to a new promotional home — has complicated the mandatory-challenger picture. That move has raised the possibility that Benn could lose his status as the WBC mandatory challenger because the new promotion is said to favor a different approach to boxing's traditional belt structure. The long-term implications for the winner's next opponent are unclear in the provided context.
Roy Jones Jr. 's final prediction and keys to the fight
Pound-for-pound veteran Roy Jones Jr. offered a final prediction that leans toward Barrios, envisioning a clash between Garcia's signature left hook and Barrios' persistent pressure. Jones emphasized that if Barrios can absorb or neutralize Garcia's left hook, Barrios has the edge; if Garcia can hurt Barrios, the advantage shifts. Jones added that Barrios must keep his foot on the gas and never allow his opponent to get comfortable as a key to victory.
These elements — Barrios' work rate and recent draws, Garcia's left hook and recent setbacks, and outside promotional maneuvering around mandatory challengers — frame the immediate stakes for the main event in Las Vegas. Details and live results will continue to develop as the fight card progresses; schedule times are subject to change.
