Boxing
Is Ryan Garcia more than just a left hook? Mario Barrios explains rival's power
Barrios vs Garcia only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
During DAZN’s FACE OFF segment, Ryan Garcia made the assertion that his former trainer, Joe Goosen, now working the corner for Mario Barrios actually gives him an advantage more than Barrios.
Well, Barrios, who looks to defend his WBC welterweight title against Garcia at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier, on Saturday night, isn’t buying that notion at all.
“I take it as that’s his way of trying to process all of this,” Barrios told DAZN News during a recent Zoom conference. “If he thinks me going with Joe is going to give him the upper hand, he is very mistaken.”
That said, from counseling with Goosen and scouting Garcia thoroughly, Barrios is ready to unequivocally make a few contentions of his own — namely that he recognizes ‘King Ry’ is more than a left hook and fans tuning in to their fight to see the challenger's coronation could be left with a statement title defense, instead.
Fighters such as Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Devin Haney tried to reduce Garcia to his vaunted left hook heading into battle with ‘King Ry,’ though Barrios refuses to do the same.
“There’s other things he’s good at also, but it’s just that his left hook has kind of turned into his signature over the years,” Barrios started explaining. “There are also other things that make him a dangerous fighter.
“His explosiveness,” he continued. “He has two hands, he counters well with both. He’s not the easiest to hit.”
Of course, Barrios will aim to avoid that major weapon, which Garcia detonates with fast-twitch speed and power, but those other highlighted attributes are of concern to the champion as well.
In preparation, Goosen's guidance should help. Goosen trained Garcia for three fights from April 2022 to April 2023. Him working Barrios’ corner has been a major storyline leading up to this fight as has the urgency of ‘King Ry’ to become a world champion. Garcia, 27, has failed to secure a world title in his past two shots and cannot afford to let another opportunity slip away.
Just as that thickening plot is serving as motivation for Garcia, Barrios is receiving it as incentive as well. He is the reigning champ and ‘A’ side of this fight, yet installed as the betting underdog by oddsmakers.
“Definitely more like a fuel,” Barrios said on how he registers Garcia being favored. “I’ve never been one to look at the betting odds or favorite. I kind of figured [Garcia would be the favorite] because of his presence and everything he brings from social media.”
He added: “I’m not a person who gets sucked into social media much myself. I can’t really relate to a lot of that. The way he moves, the way he goes about certain things, that’s just him.”
Barrios doesn’t quite know what to make of Garcia’s headspace entering this fight for the challenger has been boisterous and animated at times and subdued and respectful at others.
“Everything I bring as a fighter and everything I’m continuing learning with Joe and just as a person and as a fighter,” Barrios said, “I just know, Ryan, he better be ready.”
During Thursday’s press conference, Garcia vowed that snatching the title will mark a “whole new rise to the King Ryan empire.” To that, Barrios would like nothing more than to turn that promised crown exchange and liftoff into his own warrior’s stomping grounds toward greener pastures.
The 30-year-old Barrios, who has overcome back-to-back losses to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Keith Thurman to defeat a rugged Yordenis Ugas and fight a legendary Manny Pacquiao to a draw, feels like he has earned this moment to expand his own fighting profile.
“At this point in my career, a defining title defense just continues to open those doors to want to unify with the other champions, to just continue to bring these fights with the biggest names in boxing, these exciting fights, these headliners,” Barrios declared. “A victory on the 21st is riding on all of that.”
3 fight nights, 1 unmissable weekend - only on DAZN
Watch three amazing fights this weekend - Feb 21-22 - exclusively on DAZN. It's Barrios vs. Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on PPV; with Wood vs. Warrington II, and Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn II on DAZN subscription. Get all three all included with DAZN Ultimate Tier.
