Boxing reaches new heights when Ryan Garcia performs at his best.
LAS VEGAS — The term “crossroads fight” is frequently used in boxing, but in Ryan Garcia’s case, it was particularly fitting for his bout against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Saturday.
A victory would enable Garcia to fulfill his significant potential and secure his first major world title following a challenging couple of years that led many to question whether his ambition would ever align with his considerable talent. Conversely, a defeat would have been detrimental for one of boxing’s most popular figures, relegating him to a prominent “What if?” narrative in recent history.
Fortunately for Garcia, the former outcome occurred as he outclassed Barrios with a stunning display of speed and power, nearly achieving a shutout at T-Mobile Arena to claim his first world championship. This triumph has opened numerous lucrative opportunities for his inaugural title defense, as he will have a wide array of opponents eager for the chance to face him in the ring.
In truth, boxing benefits when Garcia is performing at his peak.
“I feel so grounded and peaceful,” Garcia stated at the post-fight news conference, contrasting his current state with the tumultuous two years during which he faced challenges both inside and outside the ring. “I don’t even think I’ve come close to reaching my full potential yet. I believe this is just the beginning, and I’m going to be even better than what I demonstrated today.”
Garcia was exceptional in dismantling Barrios, who struggled to match Garcia’s remarkable speed and accurate punching, leaving him bewildered for much of the contest. Garcia is a unique talent with a powerful left hook, but he also displayed a comprehensive skill set that began with two overhand rights in the first round that sent Barrios to the canvas and set the tone for the remainder of the fight. Simply put, when Garcia is at his best, few can rival his distinctive abilities.
Garcia has consistently shown a willingness to challenge himself against the elite in boxing, but his previous efforts may have been premature, as losses to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Rolando “Rolly” Romero — along with a no-contest against Devin Haney due to a failed test for a banned substance — hindered his advancement. His performance on Saturday indicates that he is now prepared to fully embrace his potential and confront all challengers.
“You know who I want? He’s right there. So, Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” Garcia declared in the ring after his victory. “Hey, I want to be a great champion, and I’m not afraid of anything. I fought Devin Haney. I’ll fight Shakur Stevenson. I’ll fight anybody.”
Garcia lost to Stevenson in the amateurs in 2013 and has been anticipating his chance for revenge ever since. With Stevenson’s recent victory over Teofimo Lopez Jr. to become the WBO junior welterweight champion, a matchup between the two seems increasingly feasible.
“I still have that chip on my shoulder,” Garcia remarked. “I’ve been wanting that rematch for a while. Hopefully, we can make it happen.”
With Garcia already established as a star and Stevenson rising following his recent performance, a bout between the two could become one of the most significant in boxing. Stevenson sees no obstacles to making that fight a reality next.
“He wants to fight me, and I want to fight him, so it should be straightforward to arrange,” Stevenson stated during the DAZN post-fight show. “I’m going to make quick work of him.”
With the banter and the clash of styles, Garcia-Stevenson would be a major event, even if it were not for a world title. However, another possibility for Garcia is a rematch with WBO welterweight champion Haney, which would be a significant title unification bout with an intriguing storyline attached.
Garcia and Haney have unresolved issues, with considerably higher stakes now that they are both world champions. Garcia-Haney 2 should be the fight to prioritize next.
“Devin doesn’t want that,” Garcia said dismissively. “He’s scared.”
In addition to Stevenson and Haney, fighters like Conor Benn and Romero are also eager for a chance to face “KingRy.”
“Congratulations champ. See you later this year. Make sure you keep my belt warm,” Benn, who recently transitioned from Matchroom Boxing to Zuffa Boxing, posted on X after the fight.
As for Stevenson, a matchup with Benn in the UK for his welterweight debut would be an ideal way to position him for a clash with the winner of Garcia-Haney.
Years ago, Garcia was among boxing’s new Four Kings but entered his fight on Saturday as a king without a crown. Now that he has been crowned and established himself as one of the leaders of the welterweight division, everything feels larger and more significant. He already possessed wealth and fame; now he has earned the respect of his peers.
The stakes are higher than ever for Garcia, and the landscape becomes much more intriguing when he is competing at a high level.
