‘No excuses’: Mario Barrios vows to whoop a ‘100%’ Ryan Garcia

On February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia headlines a Turki Alalshikh (Ring Magazine) show, in association with TGB Promotions, Sela, and Golden Boy. Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title, with the whole card streaming live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Ahead of this card, Barrios and Garcia met at a pre-fight press conference, where the reigning champion sent a stern warning to the challenger.

Mario Barrios vows to whoop a ‘100%’ Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas

Speaking at the presser, alongside his team, including Ryan Garcia’s ex-coach Joe Goossen, Barrios spoke about Garcia being 100%, while sending a clear message to the challenger:

“Shoutout DAZN, Golden Boy, Tom Brown, and everyone from my PBC family. Everyone knows what I bring every time I step in the ring. They said that he’s [Ryan Garcia] focused, that we’re going to get a Ryan that’s 100%, and that makes me happy to hear. So when I whoop his a** on February 21 there will be no excuses. The boxing fans are going to get a great fight and it’s not a fight that you’ll want to miss.”

Addressing Ryan Garcia’s comments that the fight will be bloody and physical, the WBC welterweight champion said:

“Yes. It could be. Whether I’m cut, hurt, I get back up and keep fighting. I don’t know if he can say the same, but that’s something we’re going to see come fight night. He said we’re getting a Ryan that’s 100%. That’s exactly what I want.” 

Barrios vs Garcia set for February 21

Looking ahead to fight night, both have questions to answer, with Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) retaining his title last time out, via a majority draw against Manny Pacquiao, with scorecards of 115-113 for Barrios, while the last two cards read 114-114.

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) suffered a shock defeat in his last fight, losing to Rolly Romero by a unanimous decision, with scorecards of 118-109, and 115-112 x2. Following that fight, Chris Mannix reported that Garcia had sustained a hand injury in training before the Romero fight and had surgery soon after the loss.

Can Barrios get back to winning ways after two consecutive draws? What does “Kingly” have left? Does he have the desire to go to war with the champion? All will be revealed on February 21.