Ryan Garcia ryan garcia Wins WBC Welterweight Title in Las Vegas
ryan garcia cruised to a lopsided unanimous decision over Mario Barrios, dropping his fellow American in the first round and taking the WBC welterweight belt at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The decision came on scorecards of 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 as Garcia became a full world champion for the first time.
Ryan Garcia's first-round knockdown
Garcia dropped Barrios in Round 1 with a right hand over the top, then controlled the fight as it progressed. He could not replicate or better the early knockdown, but maintained command through the later rounds. He said he hurt Barrios multiple times and called him "a tough son of a b***h. "
Scorecards and decision
After the final bell, Garcia was declared the unanimous-decision winner, with judges scoring the bout 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109. The victory dethroned Mario Barrios and handed Garcia the WBC welterweight belt. The result marked the 27-year-old's elevation from interim status to full world champion for the first time.
Career history and setbacks
Garcia enters the win with a record listed as 25-2 with 20 KOs. He previously claimed the WBC interim lightweight title in 2021 with a stoppage of Luke Campbell. In April 2024 he defeated Devin Haney by majority decision but failed to make weight and was ineligible to win the belt; that result was later overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. He also lost a decision in a bid for the WBA "regular" welterweight title to Rolando "Rolly" Romero last May.
Barrios title run and record
Mario Barrios entered the fight with a record of 29-3-2 and 18 KOs, making the fourth defense of his belt. Barrios won the WBC interim title with a victory over Yordenis Ugas in 2023 and defended it against Fabian Maidana in May 2024. He was elevated to full champion when Terence Crawford was named champion in recess by the WBC. Barrios then fought to consecutive draws in title defenses against Abel Ramos in November 2024 and Manny Pacquiao last July.
Post-fight quotes and reaction
Garcia was vocal about who he wants next, naming Shakur Stevenson and saying, "You know who I want, he’s right there: Shakur Stevenson. Let’s go, let’s run that s***. I’m not scared of anything. " He dedicated the win to his father, who also serves as his head coach, and physically gave the belt to him. Garcia added: "It feels great, man, but it feels better to be a child of God, to be honest. I dedicate this to my dad, though. "
On his own performance he said, "I wanted to show my full arsenal. I believe it was a kind of masterclass, but I should’ve got the finish. But I hurt my right hand. " He also described Barrios as "a tough warrior, a fellow Mexican-American. " Comment was made about Conor Benn as well: Benn’s move to Zuffa might soon cost him his WBC mandatory-challenger status.
Ryan Garcia def. Mario Barrios unanimous decision (119-108, 120-107, 118-109).
The event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Garcia — the precocious 27-year-old nicknamed "King Ry" — completed what was described in the ring as a grander triumph than his prior interim title at lightweight.
Closing: The win gives Garcia the WBC welterweight championship and the status of full world champion for the first time after a dominant showing and an opening-round knockdown that set the tone for the fight.
