Ryan Garcia is finally a boxing world champion.
The YouTube sensation-turned-pro prizefighter won his first-ever title on Sunday with a dominant unanimous decision victory over erstwhile WBC welterweight champion and former Manny Pacquiao tormentor Mario Barrios.
Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) knocked down Barrios in the first 30 seconds of the opening round, setting the stage for a wide unanimous decision win to wrest the WBC welterweight belt from Barrios. The charismatic Garcia won by scores of 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109, underscoring his utter dominance.
Notably, Ryan Garcia floored Barrios not with his trademark left hook but with an overhand right that grazed the top of Barrios’s head. That right hand became a devastating weapon for Garcia, who showcased a more complete boxing arsenal apart from his usual speed and power. The 27-year-old Californian was so on point that Barrios couldn’t figure him out the entire fight, as the latter mixed things up with blistering speed and uncanny precision.
Ryan Garcia Knows Who’s Next: Shakur Stevenson
Immediately postmatch, Ryan Garcia made it known what challenge he wants next: a fight with Shakur Stevenson, who is widely regarded as one of the best fighters, if not the best, of this generation.
“You know who I want. He’s right there. Shakur Stevenson, let’s go!” Garcia said in the in-ring interview after his huge win. “Let’s run that shit. I wanna be a great champion, and I’m not scared of shit. I fought Devin Haney… I’ll fight anybody.”
Stevenson, who was at ringside for the Garcia-Barrios title scrap, is the WBO junior welterweight champion, having secured the belt with a clinical dismantling of Teofimo Lopez back in January. And as Garcia was calling him out, Stevenson was seen mouthing, “Let’s make it happen,” potentially setting the stage for a fight between two great fighters in their absolute prime.
But whether Ryan Garcia versus Shakur Stevenson actually happens is another matter.
