Garcia Vs Barrios: Ryan Garcia wrests Mario Barrios' WBC title in one-sided win
Garcia Vs Barrios ended with Ryan Garcia winning the WBC welterweight title by a dominant unanimous decision, a result that leaves Garcia a new world champion and immediately looking toward his next opponent.
Garcia Vs Barrios — early knockdown set the tone
Garcia dropped Mario Barrios in the opening seconds of the bout on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, and controlled the fight from there with sharp combinations. The 27-year-old stayed patient after the early knockdown, then turned more conservative late while nursing a big lead on the scorecards.
Judges' cards and fighter records
The judges scored the fight 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 for Garcia, whose record moved to 25-2 with 20 knockouts; he is from Victorville, California. The news agency had its own card at 119-109. Barrios, of San Antonio, Texas, fell to a record of 29-3-2 with 18 knockouts.
Garcia celebrates and names a next target
"It feels good to finally be a world champion, " Garcia said. "It's something I've been dreaming of since I was seven years old. " He has already begun to turn to his future, looking at WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and saying he wanted him next. The win capped what the coverage called a turbulent stretch for Garcia, including a suspension, fines and other controversies.
Night's co-main and other scheduled bouts
In the co-main event, Gary Antuanne Russell kept his title against Andy Hiraoka. Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to face former junior welterweight world champion Provodnikov on April 18.
Other headlines mentioned alongside the card
Separate items in the same coverage noted a Joshua accident in Nigeria that caused two deaths and that the incident was described as the "biggest turning point" in Fury's decision to return to the ring. The coverage also quoted Imane Khelif, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, saying before a gender test, "Do not exploit me in your political agendas. "
Garcia leaves Las Vegas as the new WBC welterweight champion and has signaled a willingness to pursue a fight with Shakur Stevenson next; meanwhile, Pacquiao's bout with Provodnikov remains set for April 18.
