Mario Barrios Claims to Have the Blueprint for Ryan Garcia

WBC welterweight champion studies Garcia’s left hook ahead of Las Vegas showdown

Mario Barrios has studied Ryan Garcia’s fighting style, and claims he knows how to defeat him on Saturday night. Barrios is the underdog, despite being the WBC welterweight champion.

Back-to-back twelve-round draws against Manny Pacquiao and Abel Ramos have influenced that line. Those fights were tactical and tight, with Barrios working behind his jab and holding his ground under steady pressure.

At six feet tall, Barrios carries length for the division and is comfortable fighting at mid-range. The immediate threat is Garcia’s left hook, thrown fast and tight off the front foot. If Barrios keeps his guard up, the fight shifts into longer exchanges where pace and conditioning matter.

“With Joe Goossen we fine-tuned everything on offense and defense,” Barrios said during the final press conference. “In watching film on Ryan’s last couple of performances, we can see a lot of flaws in his game. It doesn’t take someone that knows him to have an edge over him.”

Goossen’s presence in camp adds another layer. He previously worked with Garcia and understands his habits, especially how he sets up the hook and how he reacts when pressed backward.

Barrios laid out the approach plainly.

“I think we worked on everything that I need to for him to be successful. Making him uncomfortable, exploiting his weaknesses, and every round making him uncomfortable,” he said.

Garcia dismissed the suggestion that he can be unsettled.

“No, I don’t,” Garcia said with a smile when asked if Barrios can make him uncomfortable.

For Barrios, this fight depends on structure. Jab first. Keep the right hand ready for counters. Work the body when Garcia plants his feet. Do not trade hooks in open space without balance.

Garcia’s advantage lies in speed and the sudden left hook. Barrios’ lies in size, durability, and steady work over rounds.

If Barrios refuses to trade recklessly, the fight becomes about rounds. If he chases, Garcia’s hook ends it. A loss here reshapes the welterweight picture and pushes the winner toward bigger money fights.

Date, Venue, Start Times and Streaming Info

Date: February 21
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Start time: 6 pm local time, 9 pm ET, 2 am UK
Stream: DAZN pay-per-view
Fight card: Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia, WBC welterweight title