By: Sean Crose
“JUST ANNOUNCED,” Ryan Garcia posted on social medial Thursday morning. Above that put up on Garcia’s X web page was one other put up, one Garcia had shared from Boxing Kingdom. “Battle Introduced,” it learn. ” Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios. February twenty first. WBC welterweight title.” Garcia additionally posted a video on social media, the place he gave the impression to be signing a contract. “Increase,” he stated whereas seemingly signing the doc earlier than him. “Right here I’m going. Signed. I’m going to be combating for the actual WBC championship belt in opposition to Mario Barrios February twenty first. Prepare, as a result of I’m coming.” Beside Garcia was what appeared like WBC world title belt.
Say this about Garcia, the person actually is aware of how to attract consideration to himself. He’s additionally squaring off in opposition to an attention-grabbing opponent this winter, if what he’s saying is true. Like Garcia, Barrios is a person on the lookout for redemption after combating an growing older Manny Pacquiao to a draw earlier this yr – in a combat some really feel he misplaced. As for Garcia, his defeat final spring on the gloved fists of Rolly Romero took a level of shine off his fame as a excessive degree boxer. After which after all there have been the optimistic drug checks than led his victory over Devan Haney to be modified to a no contest.
Whereas he earned as a lot fame on social media as he did within the ring, there’s no questioning that Garcia has been a tough hitting and enjoyable to observe fighter in his profession. A loss to Gervonta Davis didn’t significantly hurt Garcia’s fame, however weird habits and people optimistic drug checks did. The loss to Romero in Instances Sq. solely served so as to add one other query mark after Garcia’s identify. A great efficiency in opposition to Barrios might go an extended technique to repairing the Californian’s rep. A loss, after all, can be catastrophic.
At twenty seven years of age, Garcia nonetheless has loads of profession forward of him, if he so chooses to proceed boxing. He’s by no means gained a world title, in spite of everything, so lifting the WBC welterweight belt from Barrios would add a contemporary new growth to his boxing journey. And Barrios? He isn’t held within the highest of regards by combat watchers. He can flip issues round in his personal proper if he does certainly meet and defeat Garcia within the skilled prize ring. Once more, this isn’t a foul matchup. Let’s see if it really involves fruition.
