Key Highlights
- Ryan Garcia finally wins his first world championship in a one-sided victory over Mario Barrios.
- Garcia’s performance was described as a masterclass, though he missed the knockout despite his right hand working effectively.
- The win comes after Garcia faced setbacks including losses and a failed drug test leading to a suspension.
- Barrios hired Joe Goossen for the fight, but it wasn’t enough to counter Garcia’s dominant performance.
Ryan Garcia’s Long Road to Victory
And yet here we are—Ryan Garcia finally winning his first world championship. It’s been a long journey, folks. Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) had faced defeats and even a failed drug test that cost him a year of his career. But Saturday night in Las Vegas, the 27-year-old from Victorville, California, showed why he was once considered a prodigy.
A Dominant Performance
Garcia’s first two punches were enough to knock down Mario Barrios, who couldn’t handle the constant pressure. The judges scored the bout 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109 in Garcia’s favor. “It was one of the fights where I wanted to show you my whole arsenal,” Garcia said. “I believe it was like a master class, but I should have got the knockout.”
Barrios’ Struggles
The fight wasn’t competitive by any stretch. Barrios (29-3-2, 18 KOs) couldn’t match Garcia’s speed and failed to put together anything that would make Garcia reconsider his approach. He hired Joe Goossen, a trainer familiar with Garcia, but it didn’t help much. “That’s the performance I expected from him,” Goosen said. “What we needed to do more of was press a little bit more.”
Looking Ahead
Garcia is now in position to face WBO 140-pound champion Shakur Stevenson, a bout that would be one of the biggest fights of the year. “You know who I want? He’s right there. So, Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” Garcia said.
A Masterclass or Just Business as Usual?
And so, we ask: Was this fight truly a masterclass, or was it simply a matter of business as usual for the seasoned fighter? One thing is clear—Garcia has finally reached the level of success that he set out to achieve when he turned pro a decade ago. His return to his father’s tutelage seems to have paid off.
The Road Ahead
The future looks bright for Garcia, who will now have plenty of options for his first title defense. The challenge lies not in the title itself but in maintaining his level of performance and staying focused as he faces bigger challenges ahead.