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Why Mario Barrios has a mental edge over Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia let it be known during Thursday’s press conference that he’s “ready now as a person and as a fighter” to be the best world champion he could be.
To take the next step, ‘King Ry’ will look to dethrone WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier, on Saturday night.
Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) is coming off a disappointing, underwhelming performance in a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Rolando Romero back in May.
The defeat had ‘King Ry’ squandering his opportunity to become the WBA 'regular' welterweight world champion as he will aim to secure a 147-pound crown this time around.
To do that, Garcia will have to devise a way to defeat a rugged Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) who is winless in his last two fights, having scrapped his way to back-to-back draws. That includes a hard-fought draw against a 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao back in July as Barrios kept the WBC title wrapped around his waist.
Will Barrios retain his title with a statement championship defense to launch his 2026? Or will Garcia make good on his vow to become world champion with a rousing victory?
DAZN News explores who has the edge heading into Saturday night’s title bout.
Boxing Styles
Mario Barrios has a stiff punching style where he steps into his jab and pieces together combinations from there, whether they come within the flow of the fight or as counters in traffic.
His style will be up against the quicker hands and fast-twitch power of Ryan Garcia who loves to detonate that vaunted left hook he has become synonymous with.
Barrios is a fighter who can be hit and often has trouble against opponents with hand speed. That bodes well for the challenger Garcia in this styles clash.
Edge: Garcia
Power
Garcia’s left hook can be a kill switch to opponents’ legs. The hand speed of ‘King Ry’ only makes that weapon all the more potent and dangerous for 'El Azteca' to deal with in this fight.
If Garcia purposefully lets his hands fly comfortably and lands his left hook, boxing could very well see ‘King Ry’ reign as the new WBC welterweight world champion.
Edge: Garcia
Mental Warfare
You just never know what to expect with Ryan Garcia who produced three knockdowns of Devin Haney in a stunning majority decision win only to test positive for a performance-enhancing drug and have the April 2024 result changed to a no contest. Then, in his next fight against Rolando Romero, Garcia could not overcome an early knockdown and fell victim to an upset on points.
Garcia has physical gifts, but it is often his mental state that is scrutinized.
This weekend’s fight packs extra intrigue, considering the same Joe Goosen trainer, who guided Garcia for three fights, is now working the corner for Barrios.
Garcia vows it is an advantage for him since he knows how Goosen trains, but he will need to prove that in the ring.
Until then, a battle-tested, focused Barrios gets the nod here.
Edge: Barrios
Who has the edge in Barrios vs. Garcia?
Will Saturday night in Las Vegas be the grand stage for Garcia to realize his dream of becoming world champion?
He certainly has the skills to do against Barrios in this matchup where DAZN News gives ‘King Ry’ the 2-1 edge. Whether his mental outlook is resolute enough to get the job done remains to be seen, though.
The urgency is definitely there as Garcia does not want to come up empty in title opportunities for a third time — a scenario that would mark a major setback for the 27-year-old star.
Watch Barrios vs. Garcia only on DAZN PPV
The WBC welterweight world title is on the line this Saturday - 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.
For more information, pricing and to buy, click here.
