LAS VEGAS – Ryan Garcia is a world champion. The newly-crowned WBC welterweight champion earned a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday, February 22, 2026, a performance widely praised within the boxing community. The judges’ scorecards read 120-107, 119-108, and 118-109, reflecting Garcia’s dominance throughout the bout.
The victory marks a significant turning point in Garcia’s career. After a tumultuous period that included a loss to Gervonta Davis, a no-contest result against Devin Haney following a failed drug test resulting in a 12-month ban, and a shaky performance against Rolando Romero, Garcia finally secured his first world title. He dropped Barrios in the opening round and maintained control of the fight, consistently punishing his opponent with his speed and power.
“Amazing,” was the succinct assessment offered by fellow boxing great Terence Crawford when asked about Garcia’s performance by Clocked n Loaded. Crawford, who retired in December after defeating Canelo Alvarez, acknowledged Garcia’s skill despite previously backing Shakur Stevenson.
Garcia’s performance was a clear demonstration of his ability to compete at the world level. He effectively utilized his right hand, countering Barrios’ advances and dictating the pace of the fight. Even after sustaining an injury to his own right hand mid-fight, Garcia adapted, switching between left and right hooks without losing momentum. He dedicated the win to his father, who served as his trainer for the fight, while his former trainer, Joe Goossen, was in Barrios’ corner.
This win represents Garcia’s first official victory since 2023. The path to this point has been fraught with challenges, but Garcia appeared calm and collected throughout fight week, a stark contrast to his previous struggles. He outclassed Barrios, delivering what many are calling a near-perfect performance.
The question now turns to Garcia’s next opponent. Immediately following the fight, Garcia called out Shakur Stevenson, the WBO super-lightweight champion. Stevenson recently defeated Teofimo Lopez to claim his title, and a clash between the two would undoubtedly generate significant interest.
However, a rematch with Devin Haney, the WBO welterweight champion, is also a possibility. Their previous encounter ended in controversy, and a legitimate rematch could settle the score. Garcia also has other potential opponents within the welterweight division vying for a shot at his newly acquired WBC belt.
Stevenson himself has alluded to Garcia’s past issues, specifically the failed drug test that led to the overturning of his win over Haney and the subsequent suspension. Whether that will factor into Stevenson’s willingness to accept a fight remains to be seen. Stevenson has yet to publicly comment on Garcia’s callout as of Sunday, February 22, 2026.
The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation for Garcia’s next move. After years of setbacks and controversy, “KingRy” has finally claimed his crown, and the future looks bright for the new WBC welterweight champion. His dominant performance against Barrios has silenced many doubters and positioned him as a force to be reckoned with in the 147-pound division.
Bruce Carrington offered his analysis of the fight, providing further insight into Garcia’s performance. (Details of Carrington’s analysis are not available in the provided sources).
