Aztec Barriers from Barrios on the road for Ryan Garcia

The press conference signaling the start of the road warrior build up to the milestone fight between Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios clearly showed it won’t be dull!

From the first face-off, adrenaline plus tension were evident, with a direct and emotional Garcia convinced that this bout represents a turning point in his career.

“I’m focused, I’m ready, and this fight is personal for me,” Garcia said, insisting that his goal is to prove he remains a relevant figure in the top echelon of boxing. The Californian spoke about redemption and reestablishing his name among the elite, while also showing discomfort with certain external factors.

One of them was the presence of his former trainer in Barrios’ corner. “It didn’t surprise me, but it did motivate me,” Garcia noted, suggesting that the context surrounding the fight carries additional emotional weight.

Mario Barrios, meanwhile, adopted a much calmer tone. “That’s all noise. I do my talking in the ring,” he replied, downplaying his opponent’s verbal intensity and making it clear that his focus is solely on fight night.

The chalk and cheese contrast is already evident: intensity versus control, words versus execution. There is still time before the bout, but the narrative is already taking shape.
The fight will take place on February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena, where Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight world title.

Mario “Azteca” Barrios enters with a record of 29-2-2, 18 KOs, while Ryan “King Ry” Garcia holds a record of 24-2 with 20 knockouts.