Garcia cites maturity and right-hand adjustments after wide decision over Barrios
Ryan Garcia secured the WBC welterweight title with a wide unanimous decision over Mario Barrios and used the aftermath to explain it as a turning point in his career. The first-round knockdown set the fight, but the discipline behind the jab and straight right defined the twelve rounds that followed.
The official scores read 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 after Garcia dropped Barrios 27 seconds into the bout with a straight right to the temple.
“Man, am I really going to get him out of here this easy?” Garcia said he thought after the knockdown.
He did not rush the finish. He boxed.
“To finally become a world champion, I’ve been dreaming of it since I was seven,” Garcia said. “Oscar held that belt. Floyd held that belt. Now, Ryan Garcia holds that belt.”
Three previous title fights against Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Rolando Romero ended without a belt. This time he worked behind the jab and kept the right hand straight, limiting risks and refusing to give Barrios extended exchanges. He credited his father, Henry Garcia, back in the lead corner.
“That was the ending of the whole journey,” Garcia said. “My dad never left my side. Fame came really quick to me. I got judged. Made a lot of mistakes. But I made a complete turn to be the best champion I can be, and I finally feel like I’m here now.”
He described it as his most disciplined performance.
“My speed was on point. My jab was on point. When I’m in shape and on fire, I’m really quick,” Garcia said.
The WBC belt places him at the front of the ranking queue and strengthens his negotiating position. It does not remove the mandatory obligations that come with it. A voluntary defense requires approval. A mandatory will demand its turn.
Garcia wants Shakur Stevenson.
“Size doesn’t win fights,” Garcia said. “I just want the fight. There’s always a way to win. You’ve just got to figure it out.”
He figured Barrios out early. Now the negotiation shifts to Stevenson.