Ryan Garcia grabs his first world championship, outclassing Marios Barrios.

Despite his popularity and prominence at the forefront of his division, Ryan Garcia is a world Champion for the first time in his career. Garcia outclassed the very capable and proven Mario Barrios last night to claim the WBC welterweight championship. Garcia set the fight alight early, scoring an eye catching knockdown within the first half minute of the opener, sending Barrios to the canvas with clinical right hands. Barrios comfortably beat the count, but it was evident that he was surprised at the speed and accuracy of Garcia early. The stiff right hand may have been a misleading game-plan from the notoriously left hooking Garcia.

Barrios struggled to find a foothold in the bout, frequently following the dominant Garcia around the ring, neglecting the jab and showing very little ambition. Garcia’s natural speed proved a major damaging factor against the subdued champion. Down the stretch Ryan’s class shone through whilst Barrios struggled to adapt, Garcia claiming the spoils with a unanimous 12 round victory, scores of 119-108, 120-107, 118-109. 

Barrios was elevated from WBC interim to full champion in 2024, and since never made a conclusively successful defence, drawing twice to retain his belt against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao. He now drops to 29-3-2 (18 Ko’s) 

Garcia coming off a 10 month layoff since his defeat to Rolando Romero enjoys his first relight as champion and improves to 25-2 (20 Ko’s)