Ryan Garcia Dominates Mario Barrios and Calls Out Shakur Stevenson – WBC 2025
Ryan Garcia dominated Mario Barrios on Saturday night in Nevada, claiming the WBC welterweight championship with a commanding unanimous decision victory. After his loss to Rolando Romero in Times Square, New York in May 2025, Garcia made a strong comeback, proving he remains a top contender in the welterweight division.
Ryan Garcia’s Early Dominance
From the opening bell, Garcia made his intentions clear. Just 30 seconds into the fight, he dropped Barrios with a sharp overhand right. Rather than attempting a quick finish, Garcia carefully applied pressure, using precise combinations to target Barrios’ head. A late third-round combination briefly staggered Barrios, reinforcing Garcia’s dominance and tactical approach.
Scorecards Reflect Garcia’s Command
The judges scored the bout decisively in Garcia’s favor: 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109. Barrios’ record fell to 29-3-2 with 18 knockouts. While Barrios occasionally landed shots, they did little to slow Garcia, who maintained control of the fight throughout all 12 rounds.
Callout to Shakur Stevenson
In his post-fight interview, Garcia wasted no time calling out Shakur Stevenson: “You know who I want. He’s right there. Shakur Stevenson. Let’s go. Let’s run that.” Stevenson recently defeated Teofimo Lopez by unanimous decision, becoming a four-division world champion. Garcia’s challenge sets up a potential marquee matchup in the welterweight division.
Tactical Approach and Late-Round Strategy
Garcia’s strategy combined patience with aggression. In the fifth round, he pressed the attack from the opening bell, landing multiple shots to Barrios’ head. By the 10th round, Garcia’s control was evident as he glanced toward Barrios’ corner, perhaps signaling his dominance to former trainer Joe Goosen. Under the guidance of his father, Henry Garcia, Ryan maintained focus and measured his aggression in the final rounds, knowing he was comfortably ahead on the scorecards.
Overcoming Past Challenges
Garcia’s journey has not been without controversy. He was suspended for a year and fined $1 million by the New York State Athletic Commission for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs in an April 2024 fight against Devin Haney. He also faced temporary expulsion by the WBC for using racial and ethnic slurs and dealt with various legal issues.
Despite these setbacks, the 27-year-old Garcia has shown resilience, rebounding from his loss to Rolando Romero to reclaim championship glory. His performance against Barrios cements his status as one of the top welterweights in boxing today.
Other Fight Card Highlights
In the co-main event, Gary Antuanne Russell retained his WBA super lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Japan’s Andy Hiraoka. Meanwhile, Richardson Hitchins was scheduled to defend his IBF super lightweight belt against Oscar Duarte but withdrew due to illness, leaving questions about the status of his title.
Conclusion: Garcia’s Path Forward
Ryan Garcia’s dominant win over Mario Barrios not only earns him the WBC welterweight championship but also sets the stage for a high-profile showdown with Shakur Stevenson. Combining tactical precision, power, and resilience, Garcia has reaffirmed his place among boxing’s elite and is poised for even bigger battles in the welterweight division.
Written by 8jjsports.com News Desk | February 23, 2026
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