The WBC welterweight champion has made it clear that forcing exchanges is central to his approach. Barrios isn’t preparing for a cautious opening. His goal is to close distance, apply physical pressure and observe how Garcia reacts once the fight gets uncomfortable.
“I want to make him uncomfortable,” Barrios said Ring Magazine. “I want to test how much he really wants to be there with me.”
Garcia’s loss to Romero in May 2025 provided a revealing stretch. After being knocked down in the second round, Garcia reduced his offensive output and became more reluctant to throw his left hook. Romero began to walk Garcia down after the takedown, and Garcia threw far less while spending more time standing back and waiting.
Barrios has studied that sequence and believes sustained pressure can force similar responses. Garcia remains dangerous because he can change a fight suddenly with a single punch, but Barrios is preparing to challenge him physically over rounds rather than allowing him to work freely at range.
“I know he’s dangerous,” Barrios said. “But I go in there and test him in every way I can.”
Barrios enters the fight as a natural welterweight who has spent years competing against physically strong opposition. His experience in those fights prepared him to maintain steady pressure without overextending himself. That approach could limit Garcia’s opportunities to set his feet and initiate his left hook, which has been most effective when opponents allow him space.
Garcia is still adjusting to fighting full-sized welterweights who can push him backwards and prevent him from setting his feet. Barrios aims to stay close and work Garcia so he never gets time to relax in the ring.
The title defense also represents an important moment in Barrios’ career as he looks to solidify his position among the division’s top fighters. His goal is not simply to defend the belt, but to do so in a way that removes any doubt about his command of the division.
Garcia enters the fight under pressure to show he can handle sustained physical resistance at welterweight. His success at lower divisions came when he had space to step back, reset and fire his left hook without interference, but Barrios’ approach was designed to take away that space and force exchanges. How Garcia responds once that pressure is applied will determine whether he can fully establish himself in the division.
Barrios’ plan is direct. He aims to pressure Garcia early, force involvement and determine if Garcia reacts differently when pressed again in tough situations.
