Breaking
Tag

Ryan Garcia

Browsing
BOXING

How Ryan Garcia’s backstage celebration takes unexpected turn af

By
Ryan Garcia

Ryan Garcia’s backstage celebration takes unexpected turn after title win

You cannot fully vouch for Ryan Garcia, but everything suggests the boxer may be changing old habits – and it showed in a genuine way. For years, many boxing fans questioned whether Garcia would truly become one of the sport’s defining stars. The talent was always there, yet his behavior outside the ring created doubt. Controversial social media activity, reports of substance abuse before fights, and distractions often shifted the focus away from his ability.

Against Mario Barrios, however, Garcia finally looked like the fighter many believed he was meant to be. In Las Vegas, he delivered a one-sided unanimous decision to dethrone the WBC welterweight champion, validating the potential that had followed him since the beginning of his career.

A performance that reset the narrative for now…

The victory did more than add a belt to his résumé. It helped legitimize a career that has experienced sharp highs and visible setbacks. Not long ago, Garcia was reportedly drinking daily during training camp and posting late-night rants ahead of his 2024 bout with Haney. That fight ended in controversy after he failed a post-fight drug test for ostarine. He also served a suspension, struggled in a failed challenge against Rolando “Rolly” Romero for the WBA welterweight title, and delivered performances where his right hand and focus seemed inconsistent. At that point, a world championship appeared distant.

But against Barrios, Garcia showed discipline and speed. His hands were sharp, his combinations fluid, and his opponent struggled to keep up with the pace. It was the kind of showing that reminded observers why expectations were so high in the first place.

The moment no one expected

Still, what truly caught attention came after he stepped out of the ring. In a city like Las Vegas, many assumed the celebration would be loud and excessive. Instead, a short backstage clip revealed something different. Garcia walked in, opened a pack of cookies, and began eating them before anything else. When someone nearby popped a champagne bottle, he flinched, visibly startled.

It was a small gesture, but it felt symbolic. It does not confirm a complete transformation, yet it suggested a shift in mindset at least for now.

Garcia has long been one of boxing’s most polarizing figures. His talent has rarely been questioned; his priorities often were. This win over Barrios showed improvement inside the ring, while his understated backstage reaction hinted at change outside of it.

If this version of Ryan Garcia continues – focused in training, disciplined in competition, and measured in victory – then the unexpected celebration may be remembered as more than just a viral clip. It could mark the moment when potential finally aligned with maturity.

Keep Reading
By
BOXING

Why Terence Crawford warns Ryan García about Shakur Stevenso

By
Terence Crawford Ryan García Shakur Stevenson

Terence Crawford warns Ryan García about Shakur Stevenson and advises him to forget about that fight

Ryan Garcia’s dominant victory over Mario Barrios to capture the WBC welterweight title has reignited blockbuster talk in boxing. But while “King Ry” wasted no time calling out Shakur Stevenson for a potential super fight, Terence Crawford isn’t convinced that would end well for the new champion.

Garcia secured a clear unanimous decision over Barrios, showcasing improved discipline and composure en route to becoming a world champion at 147 pounds. The performance drew attention across the boxing landscape – including from Crawford, who offered a blunt preview of how a Stevenson vs. Garcia matchup could unfold.

Terence Crawford reacts during a super lightweight title boxing match

JUST IN: Twice as nice: Claressa Shields shuts out Franchon Crews-Dezurn

I think [Stevenson] wipes the floor with him, I don’t think Ryan is going to be able to hit Shakur like Barrios.

Terance Crawford

Crawford elaborated on the stylistic differences, suggesting Garcia benefited from facing an opponent who lacked speed and tactical sharpness.

Barrios was right there to be hit, Barrios was too slow, Barrios didn’t have no game plan, Shakur is not going to be that fighter to be hit on. It’s simple.

Terence Crawford

The warning was clear: Stevenson’s defensive mastery and ring IQ present a far more complex challenge than what Garcia faced on Saturday night.

Shakur Stevenson sets condition as Devin Haney reacts

Stevenson, who fights at 140 pounds, appeared open to the fight – but under one critical condition.

“VADA will be involved,” Stevenson stated, referencing year-round anti-doping testing requirements.

The comment carried weight given Garcia’s previous no-contest result against Devin Haney, which was overturned after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. The potential matchup would likely require a catchweight agreement, as Garcia now campaigns at welterweight while Stevenson holds a title at super lightweight.

Interestingly, Stevenson noted that a championship belt wouldn’t necessarily be required to sell the fight, citing the pair’s star power and global fan bases.

Meanwhile, Devin Haney – who originally suffered a majority decision loss to Garcia before it was ruled a no-contest – appeared unimpressed by Garcia’s latest performance. Although Haney did not deliver a direct verbal attack, his reaction suggested skepticism about whether Garcia’s win truly answered lingering doubts.

The boxing world remains divided. Supporters argue Garcia’s latest victory shows growth and maturity. Critics believe elite technicians like Stevenson would expose defensive gaps that still exist.

Crawford’s assessment, however, was the strongest statement yet from a pound-for-pound great. His advice to Garcia was essentially strategic: reconsider the callout.

With Garcia riding momentum as a newly crowned champion and Stevenson eager to prove himself against big names, negotiations could gain traction quickly. But stylistically, the fight poses significant risks for both men.

If it happens, it could define the next era at lightweight and welterweight. Until then, Crawford’s message echoes loudly – Shakur Stevenson is a different level of challenge entirely.

Keep Reading
By
BOXING

Shakur Stevenson has two demands for fight with new champion Ryan Garcia

By
Shakur Stevenson Ryan Garcia

Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia could be on a collision course after ‘King Ry’ became world champion on Saturday.

Garcia dropped Barrios on his way to a dominant unanimous decision victory to secure the WBC welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Following the bout, Garcia made it clear that he wants to face Stevenson next, the newly crowned WBO super-lightweight champion who claimed his belt with a win over Teofimo Lopez last month.

Shakur Stevenson has two demands for fight with new champion Ryan Garcia

JUST IN: Video highlights: Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios live streaming resul

Stevenson laid out his demands for the bout to take place whilst speaking on DAZN, insisting that it would have to take place at a 144lbs catchweight and that VADA testing would be required.

“Was VADA involved in this fight? I saw him with Rolly he didn’t look like that. If he’s fighting me next, I’m all for the challenge but VADA will be involved.

“We’ll meet in the middle [144lbs]. Two big stars, we don’t need a belt for the fight.

“I think it’s a great fight to make. I’m in this for big fights. Me and Ryan would be an even bigger fight and would be a tremendous fight. I want to fight him and he want to fight me so it should be easy to get done. We’ve just got to make sure he’s on VADA and there’s no cheating involved.”

Garcia failed a drugs test in 2024 after facing Devin Haney, resulting in his win being overturned to a no contest. He returned after a 12-month ban and suffered a loss to Rolly Romero, but looked like a completely different fighter against Barrios tonight in Las Vegas.

Keep Reading
By
BOXING

Video highlights: Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios live streaming resul

By
Ryan Garcia Mario Barrios

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios live streaming results, video highlights from Las Vegas

Ryan Garcia cruised to a lopsided decision win over Mario Barrios on Saturday, winning the WBC welterweight title in the process.

Garcia dropped Barrios in the very first round, and while he could not replicate or better that moment as the fight wore on, he stayed in complete control throughout.

After the final bell sounded, Garcia was declared a unanimous-decision winner (119-108, 120-107, 118-109), as he became a full world champion for the first time.

Ryan Garcia v Mario Barrios - Weigh-in

JUST IN: Crowned at last: Ryan Garcia outpoints Mario Barrios

The precocious 27-year-old previously held an interim world title at lightweight, but Saturday marked a grander triumph for “King Ry”, as he dethroned Barrios in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena.

BARRIOS VS. GARCIA QUICK RESULTS

147 lbs.: Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia
140 lbs.: Richardson Hitchins vs. Oscar Duarte – Canceled
140 lbs.: Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka – Russell via unanimous decision
140 lbs.: Frank Martin vs. Nahir Albright – unanimous draw
168 lbs.: Bektemir Melikuziev vs. Sena Agbeko – Melikuziev via seventh-round TKO
160 lbs.: Amari Jones vs. Luis Arias – Jones via fourth-round TKO (corner stoppage)
130 lbs.: Mohammed Alakel vs. David Calabro – Alakel via second-round knockout
Heavyweight: Joshua Edwards vs. Brandon Colantonio – Edwards via unanimous decision

BARRIOS VS. GARCIA PLAY-BY-PLAY

Round 1:

Garcia comes out aggressive. Shots to the body and then lands a big right hand and drops Barrios right away! WOW. The champ gets back up and Garcia is now pouncing. Barrios has recovered. Nice body shot lands for Garcia, then a big left hook. Barrios pushing forward and Garcia lands another body shot. Garcia looking for the kill but Barrios is evading. Left hook again for Garcia and Barrios just needs to escape the round. Great start for Garcia. 10-8 Garcia

Round 2:

Garcia takes the center of the ring. Jabs his way in and connects a nice straight right hand. Barrios counters with a left and then Garcia lands a body shot. Garcia lands to the body. Barrios pushing forward with his jabs. Hasn’t landed much. Garcia again working the body with his left hook. Good round for Garcia again 10-9 Garcia

Round 3:

Barrios trying to push the pace early in round three. Lands a good right hand. Barrios again with a body shot and Garcia eats it and returns fire with two jabs. Garcia pushing ahead and lands a left hook to the body. Barrios doubles up the jab. 10-9 Garcia.

Round 4:

Barrios has the size advantage here. Garcia showing off his speed with a snapping right hand that lands. Mice jab lands for Garcia. Lightning quick jab lands for Barrios. Huge overhand right hand lands for Garcia and it rocks Barrios momentarily. Barrios needs to use his footwork. Stiff jab connects for Barrios. One-two connects for Garcia. 10-9 Garcia

Round 5:

Garcia tags Barrios with another big right hand and rocks him. He’s recovered now but he is in danger. Garcia with a straight right hand down the middle that lands flush. Three-punch combo lands for Garcia and he is showing off his speed again, along with precision. Big left hook lands for Garcia. Barrios has no answer, despite being the bigger man. Left hook clips Barrios’ chin. A big right hand lands for Garcia. Barrios trying to close the distance. One-two lands for Garcia. Barrios with a nice right hand of his own as he pushes Garcia up against the ropes. Right hand again for Garcia. 10-9 Garcia

Round 6:

Garcia lands an overhand right, Barrios falls but it is called a push. The right hand finds a home again for Garcia. Barrios connects with a right hand of his own. Left hook barely grazes Barrios’ head. Barrios looks so much bigger than Garcia, but has no answer for the speed. Action slowed just a bit in this round but Garcia controlled it. 10-9 Garcia

Round 7:

Garcia opens up with a three-punch combo. Barrios needs to really turn it around and win the next six rounds or get a knockout to have a chance. Uppercut lands for Garcia, then a shot to the body. They trade jabs and Garcia unloads another three-punch combo. 91 punches landed for Garcia to Barrios 42 so far. Stiff jab lands for Garcia, who is now feeling very confident with his approach. 10-9 Garcia

Round 8:

Garcia once again leaves his stool early, takes the center of the ring right away. He is really feeling himself her, and rightfully so. Overhand right lands for Garcia, and then another. Left hook is partially blocked, Garcia follows it up with two jabs. Barrios needs to get it going here. Right hand lands for Barrios and he eats a left hand to the body. Both men get a stern warning from mthe referee after the clinch. Barrios with two shots to the body. 10-9 Garcia

Round 9:

Barrios gets Garcia up against the ropes and connects with a couple of rabbit punches. Garcia escapes and takes the center of the ring. Pumps the double jab, then a left hook to the body. Shot to the body lands for Barrios. Garcia’s father just revealed Garcia has injured his right hand. Double left jab from Garcia and Barrios whiffs on a right hand. Not a ton of action here in this round. 10-9 Garcia

Round 10:

Garcia touching the body and then goes upstairs with a three-punch combo. Barrios lands an uppercut and it backs Garcia up for a minute. Barrios gets in on the inside and unloads a barrage of strikes. Garcia escapes the ropes and takes the center. Three-punch combo lands and the last shot whips Barrios head clean back. Overhand right lands and then a shot to the body for Garcia. Very disciplined approach from Garcia. Garcia for some words for Joe Goosen in the middle of the action. Uppercut for Garcia to close out the round. 10-9 Garcia

HIGHLIGHTS

 

Keep Reading
By
BOXING

Crowned at last: Ryan Garcia outpoints Mario Barrios

By
Ryan Garcia Mario Barrios

Finally, a world title has been strapped to boxing’s most popular personality, Ryan Garcia.

In a sensational showing opened by a first-round knockdown of former titleholder Mario Barrios, Garcia moved beyond the disappointment of his three prior title-fight failures to capture the WBC welterweight belt.

His convincing unanimous decision triumph came by scores of 119-108, 120-107, 118-109.

JUST IN: Claressa Shields Fight: How Claressa Shields became the main ev

“It feels great. I’m dedicating this to my dad,” Garcia said of his father, Henry, whom he re-hired after Henry coached him through his amateur and early pro career. “It was what I wanted to show: my whole arsenal. I should’ve had a knockout, but I hurt my right hand.

“We put on a hell of a show. … I showed my amateur pedigree. I can move, I can box. I hurt him multiple times. He’s a tough son of a bitch.”

Garcia, 25-2 (20 KOs), wasted little time getting to his craved feat, knocking down Barrios with a vicious right to the side of the head just 27 seconds into the bout.

Showing immediately that he was more than a one-trick pony who leaned on the left hook to knock down Devin Haney in an overturned 2024 victory, Garcia’s rights and jabs were productive against Barrios, making the hook almost an early afterthought.

“Early in my career, all of my knockouts were from the right hand. I hurt it around the sixth or seventh [round],” Garcia said. “Other than that, it all went well.”

The power rights forced two-division champion Barrios, 29-3-2 (18 KOs), to cover in the third, as he reached to land punches of substance on the Southern Californian Garcia.

Throwing the rights so rapidly had Barrios literally on his toes because the champion coming off two straight draws – including July’s versus 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao – was ill-equipped to deal with this 27-year-old prime performer.

Another right in the fifth staggered Barrios, and a left hook to the body brought another grimace. Barrios turned to protective measures, covering up and backing up at points.

“He fought very smart, very intelligent,” Barrios said. “We figured to expect the right hand. I wasn’t expecting it the way he threw it, a looped overhand.

“He fought a very smart fight.”

Garcia retreated to the corner where his father-trainer Henry resided after Garcia had cycled through cornermen including Eddy Reynoso, Derrick James and Joe Goossen, who cornered Barrios on Saturday.

A left hook to the head in the sixth wobbled Barrios, as Garcia retreated to his father for reminders delivered with a confident smile.

“It’s like it was written for a story,” Garcia said. “There’s a special relationship with your father. If you’ve got a dad, tell him you love him.”

Powerful head combinations by Garcia in the seventh diminished Barrios’ hopes. Garcia eased through the eighth, then returned to discouraging Barrios with the power shots that noticeably swelled Barrios’ nose.

Garcia spent the opening minute of the 10th further weakening Barrios with wicked deliveries, appearing to turn to Goossen in a confident display of work that reminded the trainer Garcia referred to as “traitor” couldn’t inspire any magic on this evening.

“Tough guy to track down, fleet-footed, quick-handed,” Goossen said of Garcia. “Mario was trying to get the knockout in the later rounds. That was our opportunity. We couldn’t capitalize on it.”

Nodding to the crowd after the 11th, Garcia neared his moment of reckoning after the 2023 body shot by Gervonta Davis that stopped him, the Haney fiasco and the surprise, sluggish showing last year against Rolando “Rolly” Romero in New York’s Times Square.

All that’s over now for the new titleholder who, in a time of great debate over the importance of title belts, savored his.

In victory, Garcia called out unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson.

“You know who I want: Shakur Stevenson,” Garcia said. “I’ll fight anybody. You’ve got to get some kind of punching power to keep me off you. I want that fight.”

Keep Reading
By