Ryan Garcia will attempt to win the first world title of his career when he challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21 in Las Vegas.
The highly anticipated bout will headline The Ring: High Stakes card at T-Mobile Arena and will stream live on DAZN, organisers announced Monday evening.
Garcia, one of boxing’s most recognisable stars, enters the fight following a chaotic two-year stretch marked by controversy, suspension and defeats.
The 27-year-old American star appeared to revive his career in April 2024 when he stunned Devin Haney, beating him by majority decision.
The result was later overturned to a no contest after Garcia tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine in a VADA drug test taken the day before the fight.
Three months later, the World Boxing Council expelled Garcia from its rankings after he posted racial slurs on social media.
Ryan Garciawill attempt to win the first world title of his career when he challenges WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21 in Las Vegas
The 27-year-old American star appeared to revive his career in April 2024 when he stunned Devin Haney, beating him by majority decision
The highly anticipated bout will headline The Ring: High Stakes card at T-Mobile Arena and will stream live on DAZN, Turki Alalshikh announced Monday evening
He returned to the ring earlier this year in the main event of a Times Square boxing card against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, but was knocked down and lost by unanimous decision.
Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) has not won a fight since knocking out Oscar Duarte in 2023, has yet to record a victory at welterweight, and owns a 1-2 record with one no contest since 2022.
Despite that, the WBC lifted his suspension in November 2025, allowing talks to proceed for a title fight – which has now been confirmed.
‘I will be world champion on February 21st,’ Garcia said in a statement following the announcement of The Ring: High Stakes card.
Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs), who fights out of San Antonio, won the vacant WBC interim title in 2023 by defeating Yordenis Ugas.
He was elevated to full champion in May 2024 after Terence Crawford vacated the belt to move up in weight.
But the 29-year-old has yet to win a fight since becoming champion.
He fought to a split draw against Abel Ramos in November 2024 on the undercard of Jake Paul’s bout with Mike Tyson, then escaped with a controversial majority draw against Manny Pacquiao last July.
Garcia returned to the ring earlier this year in the main event of a Times Square boxing card against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, but was knocked down and lost by unanimous decision
Barrios escaped with a controversial majority draw against Manny Pacquiao last July
The only defeats of Barrios’ professional career have come against former world champions Keith Thurman and Gervonta Davis.
‘San Antonio built me, and every sacrifice I’ve made comes with me into that ring,’ Barrios said. ‘This is my division, my time, and I’m ready to show the world why the WBC title stays right here.’
