Ryan Garcia claims to have signed contract to fight Mario Barrios for world title

Ryan Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs, 1 NC) has claimed to have finally signed a contract to fight for a welterweight world title.

The 27-year-old boxer posted a video of himself signing a contract on Instagram. Garcia claims in the video and its caption that he will be taking on WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) on February 21. However, a press release formally announcing the bout has yet to be released as this piece goes published.

This would be Garcia’s first attempt at challenging for a recognized world title (barring any mishaps). He was unable to win the WBC super lightweight championship against Devin Haney on account of missing weight. His fight against Rolando “Rolly” Romero was for a secondary WBA welterweight title.

Ryan Garcia claims to have signed contract to fight Mario Barrios

“Signed,” said Garcia in the video posted to Instagram. “I am going to be fighting for the real WBC championship belt against Mario Barrios. February 21. Get ready [because] I’m coming. Let’s go.”

Garcia being able to challenge for the WBC world title is a significant change of fortune for the boxer. Although initially victorious against Haney, the result was changed to a no contest after it was revealed that he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in two separate tests. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) suspended him for a year as a result.

Garcia was later expelled from the WBC rankings after using racist slurs against Black people and making Islamophobic remarks on social media. The ban on him was lifted earlier this month, paving the way for a fight with Barrios.

Mario Barrios’s recent form

The reigning WBC welterweight champion was initially an interim titleholder. Once Terence Crawford left the division for good, the organization made Barrios their primary titleholder.

The Texan has had two fights as the WBC world champion. In November last year he drew against Abel Ramos in what was also his first defence of the title. Barrios then fought Manny Pacquiao in July of this year, drawing yet again. Should the fight against Garcia actually take place, he would be looking to get his first win as world champion.