Ryan Garcia Wins WBC Title: Stevenson, Haney Next?

LAS VEGAS — Ryan Garcia entered Saturday night’s fight against Mario Barrios at T-Mobile Arena facing a critical juncture in his career. A win over the WBC welterweight champion would validate his immense potential and deliver his first major world title after a period marked by turbulence and questions about his dedication. A loss, however, risked relegating him to the realm of “what ifs” in the boxing world.

Fortunately for Garcia, he delivered a dominant performance, dismantling Barrios with a display of speed and power to claim the WBC welterweight title. The victory opens a wealth of opportunities for his first title defense, with a deep pool of contenders eager to challenge him.

“I feel so grounded and peaceful,” Garcia said at the postfight news conference, contrasting his current state with the challenges he’s faced in recent years. “I don’t even think I’ve come close to hitting my ceiling of potential yet. I think this is going to go even crazier and I’m going to be even better than what I showed today.”

Garcia’s performance was a masterclass in boxing, as he consistently outmaneuvered and overwhelmed Barrios. He dropped Barrios within the first 30 seconds of the bout with a powerful right hand, setting the tone for the remainder of the fight. While known for his left hook, Garcia showcased a more complete skillset, utilizing a variety of punches to keep Barrios off balance. The judges scored the bout 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109, all in favor of Garcia.

This victory marks a significant turning point for Garcia, who previously held the WBC interim lightweight title in 2021. His career has been punctuated by both highs and lows, including a no-contest against Devin Haney due to a failed drug test and a recent loss to Rolando Romero. Saturday’s win suggests he is now fully prepared to realize his potential and compete at the highest level.

Barrios, making the fourth defense of his title, proved durable throughout the fight, but ultimately had no answer for Garcia’s speed and precision.

Immediately following the fight, Garcia set his sights on a potential matchup with Shakur Stevenson. “You know who I want? He’s right there. So, Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” Garcia said in the ring. “Hey, I want to be a great champion, and I’m not scared of s—. I fought Devin Haney. I’ll fight Shakur Stevenson. I’ll fight anybody.”

Garcia and Stevenson have a history, with Stevenson defeating Garcia in the amateurs in 2013. Stevenson, who recently became the WBO junior welterweight champion with a dominant win over Teofimo Lopez Jr. On February 22, 2026, appears open to the fight. “He wants to fight me, and I want to fight him, so it should be easy to get done,” Stevenson said during the DAZN postfight show. “I’m going to make easy work out of him.”

Another potential opponent for Garcia is a rematch with Devin Haney. A second fight would carry significant weight, potentially unifying titles and offering a compelling storyline. Garcia dismissed the possibility, stating, “Devin doesn’t want that. He’s terrified.”

Other fighters, including Conor Benn, have also expressed interest in facing Garcia. Benn posted on X after the fight, “Congratulations champ. See you later this year. Make sure you keep my belt warm.”

Garcia’s victory not only secures his place as a world champion but also elevates his standing in the boxing world. He has the talent, the popularity, and now, the title to demand the biggest fights. As he stated, he believes he has yet to reach his full potential, and his performance on Saturday suggests a bright future for “KingRy.”

With Garcia now firmly established as a force in the welterweight division, the boxing landscape has become significantly more intriguing. His next move will be closely watched, as he navigates the path toward solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s top stars.