Ryan Garcia draws WBC discipline weeks after reinstatement

The actual weight was never the problem. When the footage finally arrived, it showed Garcia tipping the scales at 154.2 pounds, which is safely under the 5% allowance for the 147-pound limit. Barrios actually came in lighter at 153 pounds. The violation was purely administrative because Garcia missed the filing window.

Sulaiman moved to escalate the situation almost immediately, warning Garcia’s team that a missing video would trigger a public statement and a call to the athletic commission. Garcia immediately complied to avoid further problems beyond the financial hit.

This mistake happens at a sensitive time for the challenger. The WBC only recently welcomed Garcia back after suspending him in July 2024 due to racial slurs used on social media. The organization moved him directly to the mandatory spot for Barrios, but the spotlight on his professionalism is brighter than ever. All eyes are on his weight for good reason, as he missed the limit for his fight against Devin Haney last year before a positive drug test led to a lengthy suspension.

Off the scales, there is a great deal of drama heading to Las Vegas. Barrios is now trained by Joe Goossen, the same man who stood in Garcia’s corner for some of his biggest career moments. Garcia has already labeled his former trainer a traitor, adding a personal grudge to a fight where Barrios is looking to prove he belongs at the top of the division.

Everything now depends on how Garcia handles the final stretch, including another mandatory weight check scheduled just seven days before the opening bell. Because the WBC has already shown it won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on its rules of procedure, its compliance will remain under heavy scrutiny throughout fight week. Keeping this title opportunity on track depends entirely on his ability to follow through on those remaining requirements before finally taking on Barrios on February 21st.