Ryan Garcia delivered the defining performance of his career Saturday night, defeating Mario Barrios by unanimous decision to capture the WBC welterweight championship in Las Vegas. Garcia scored a dramatic knockdown in the opening seconds and controlled the bout from start to finish, earning scorecards of 119–108, 120–107, and 118–109 to secure his first full world title.
The 27-year-old American showcased speed, precision, and patience against the taller champion, dictating the pace across all 12 rounds. After dropping Barrios early, Garcia avoided unnecessary risks while building a commanding lead with sharp combinations and ring control. It marked a composed, mature outing for a fighter long known for explosive offense but sometimes questioned for consistency.
Barrios, a resilient champion from San Antonio, never stopped pressing forward and had moments of success with body shots and counters, but he struggled to match Garcia’s hand speed and accuracy. The defending titlist had entered the fight looking to solidify his reign after draws in recent defenses, yet he spent most of the night reacting to Garcia’s tempo and movement.
For Garcia, the victory represented redemption after a turbulent stretch that included a suspension and high-profile setbacks. “It feels good to finally be a world champion,” Garcia said after the bout, reflecting on a lifelong goal realized under the bright lights of T-Mobile Arena.
The win positions Garcia as one of boxing’s biggest attractions at welterweight and opens the door to lucrative future matchups against other elite names in the division. For Barrios, the loss ends his title run but reinforces his reputation for toughness and willingness to face top challengers.
Garcia’s breakthrough night ultimately confirmed his arrival among boxing’s champions, combining early power with disciplined control to decisively dethrone Barrios on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
