Garcia Vs Barrios: Ryan Garcia wins WBC welterweight title in one-sided decision
In a dominant outing that closed a turbulent chapter of his career, Ryan Garcia defeated Mario Barrios in Las Vegas on Saturday to claim the WBC world welterweight title in a one-sided decision, a result framed widely as garcia vs barrios and a crowning moment for the 28-year-old fighter.
Knockdown set the tone in round 1
Garcia knocked down Barrios in the opening round with a blistering punch, a concrete turning point that helped him cruise to an easy decision over Barrios in Las Vegas on Saturday. The fight finished as a one-sided decision and gave Garcia his first official win since 2023.
Punch stats underline the margin
The score in landed punches was emphatic: Garcia out-landed Barrios 185-106 in total punches and 103-43 in power punches, figures that tracked throughout the night and reinforced the description of the bout as dominant and one-sided.
Garcia’s recent history and an overdue title
Known by the nickname "King Ry, " Garcia entered the fight with recent controversy on his record: his 2024 win over Devin Haney was overturned into a no-contest after a positive drug test for ostarine, and he served a one-year suspension. He then lost his return bout against Roland "Rolly" Romero this past May, making this WBC title in Las Vegas a notable turnaround and his first official victory since 2023.
Garcia called out Shakur Stevenson; Stevenson answered
After the decision, Garcia used the DAZN pay-per-view broadcast to call out WBO super lightweight champion and pound-for-pound staple Shakur Stevenson, and Stevenson swiftly accepted the challenge on the same DAZN pay-per-view broadcast—an exchange that immediately positioned a potential next marquee matchup.
Boxing world reaction, from peers to rivals
Reaction poured in on social media and the broadcast on Saturday, with multiple fighters and outlets posting in the hours after the decision. A post declaring "NEW!! Ryan Garcia is the WBC Welterweight Champion of the World 👑🔥 #BarriosGarcia" appeared for one promoter handle on February 22, 2026. An account headlined "‼️ RYAN GARCIA CALLS OUT SHAKUR STEVENSON" also posted on February 22, 2026.
Devin Haney continued to prod Garcia over their infamous bout in posts dated February 22, 2026, and Shakur Stevenson wrote, "I said that in round 1" on February 22, 2026. Conor Nigel Benn posted on February 22, 2026: "Congratulations champ - See you later this year. Make sure you keep my belt warm @RyanGarcia. " Claressa Gwoat Shields posted on February 22, 2026, with the comment, "Barrios can’t see the right hand coming !!!" ShowtimeShawn Porter wrote on February 22, 2026, "We forgot Ryan was once called Flash. His speed is where it use to be. "
What’s next
The immediate confirmed development is the public exchange on DAZN pay-per-view: Garcia issued a challenge to Shakur Stevenson after the win, and Stevenson accepted on the broadcast, a step that frames their names as the next matchup to watch following garcia vs barrios.
