Ryan Garcia announced on social media today that his next fight will be against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21, 2026.
Benn’s title Hope Derailed
The move by Ryan (24-2, 20 KOs) takes away one of the options for the British star Conor Bennwho mentioned last Saturday that he wanted to challenge Barrios 29-2-2, 18 KOs) for his WBC 147-lb title. Now he will have to wait in line to fight the winner. If Conor wants that title, he can always fight whoever emerges when the smoke clears.
A 1-2-1 challenger gets the call
Some fans aren’t too excited about this announcement. Garcia is currently not ranked in the WBC’s top 15 at 147 and has a record of 1-2-1 go into this battle. That’s not exactly the kind of record one typically sees from a competitor challenging for a world title. Not ranked in the top 15 and coming off a loss, this move looks bad.
Garcia, 27, gets his second straight title shot at 147 pounds after losing in a bid to capture the vacant WBA belt in a 12-round unanimous decision loss to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero on That of Turki Alalshikh event earlier this year on May 2, 2025, at Times Square in New York.
Surprisingly, Kingry was dropped by Romero in the second round, losing by scores of 115-112, 118-109 and 115-112. It was a lethargic performance by Garcia, who seems to stop fighting hard after round two.
“Signed. I’m going to fight for the real WBC Championship belt against Mario Barrios on February 21st. Get ready because I’m coming,” said Ryan Garcia. Instagramannouncing his next fight against WBC 147-lb champion Mario Barrios in 2026.
“As promised, announcing my next fight! I will fight for the 147-pound WBC Championship. Just wait and see the MAGIC 🪄 @wbcboxing @wbcmoro. MARIO BARRIOS I’M COMING FOR YOU,” Ryan Garcia said on Instagram.
Ryan has the hand speed and power to defeat the 30-year-old Barrios, who fought poorly in his last two fights against the 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao and Abel Ramos, both of which ended in 12-round draws.
Barrios: The ‘Weakest Link’ Champion
Those performances showed Barrios’ vulnerability as he struggled against guys like WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. probably would have blown it out of the water. As such, one has to give Ryan Garcia an excellent chance to dethrone Marrios to become the WBC belt holder on February 21st.
It’s not the ideal champion for Garcia to fight if he wants to make noise in the welterweight division, but it’s a champion that fans on social media see as the weakest link.
Last updated on 20/11/2025
