Error code: %{errorCode}
Barrios vs Garcia predictions: DAZN News experts pick their winner
Here we go - Las Vegas, a huge fight night, three world titles up for grabs and a headliner involving two of the US's biggest boxing names - Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia.
The two are fighting for the WBC welterweight world crown, which Barrios is defending for a fourth time, with Garcia desperate to land his first world championship strap. The Ring: High Stakes fight card is live and exclusive on DAZN and part of three huge fight cards on the 'Home of Boxing' this weekend.
Garcia, 24-2-0 (20 KOs), is an explosive talent that can truly bang, but has looked a shadow of his best self since returning for his 12-month ban.
Barrios, 29-2-2 (18 KOs), is solid, methodical and hard to put down, but has questions to answer after a draw with a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao in his last bout in 2025.
It is an intriguing battle between two well matched styles, who can both be explosive and thrilling at their very best, which we expect to see tonight - Saturday, February 21.
Who wins? Our boxing experts have been giving their predictions.
Barrios vs. Garcia prediction - who wins?
Chris Walker
Prediction: Garcia by decision
This really feels like the final chance for Ryan Garcia to become world champion. At the age of 27 it sounds crazy to dismiss the future chances of someone still so young.
Defeats to Gervonta Davis and Rolly Romero, with a failed drugs test in between, display signs of warning when assessing Garcia’s chances at the top level, and if a defeat to Barrios was put on top, then how could you confidently back him to beat elite names moving forward?
Knowing deep down that this is likely to be his best opportunity, maybe his final, then surely Garcia has left no stone unturned in his preparations for this contest.
Barrios may have underperformed when he faced a faded Manny Pacquiao in their draw last year, but he has enough quality at the highest level to cause what would be a small upset against a fighter who nobody ever knows what to expect from.
This battle looks set to go the distance and could be close enough to give Barrios his third draw in a row, but there is enough to like in Garcia that he has learnt lessons from the past to take the WBC welterweight crown by a narrow margin on the scorecards.
Mark Lelinwalla
Prediction: Garcia by decision
Garcia has the physical tools to edge a champion Mario Barrios who can be hit. The question is: What mental state will Garcia be in come fight night?
If his focus is there and he can put together a complete performance, Garcia's power punches might be enough to ward off Barrios' steady pressure in crowning 'King Ry' as the new WBC welterweight world champion.
Chris Oliver
Prediction: Garcia by decision
This fight is all about which version of Garcia turns up.
While we know what we’re going to get from the steady but unspectacular Barrios, Garcia is much more erratic in his performances and he will need to be a lot better than when he dropped a decision to Rolly Romero last time out.
The best of Garcia should be too quick and sharp for Barrios, who is much slower than his explosive opponent, but whether we see that version of ‘King Ry’ is another thing.
Garcia didn’t have the best preparation for the Romero contest and he has assured us that it will be different this time around.
I am willing to give him another chance, against an opponent who is very beatable and I’m backing Garcia to win by decision.
Matt Astbury
Prediction: Garcia by decision
I think this world title fight, to the disappointment of many, will go the full 12-round distance, with Garcia winning by decision.
Garcia is appearing gun shy and is afraid to throw those fast hands that made him one of boxing’s most exciting names. However, if he can settle into a groove, Garcia could make this fight comfortable.
Barrios, on the other hand, is a tough operator and can take a punch, but after his draw with an old Manny Pacquiao, I don’t see how he will trouble Garcia.
Watch Barrios vs. Garcia only on DAZN PPV
The WBC welterweight world title is on the line tonight - Feb 21 - as Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia go toe-to-toe, exclusively on DAZN. Buy the PPV as a one-off cost or get included with DAZN Ultimate Tier.
