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“Just announced.” Ryan Garcia says he will fight Mario Barrios in February

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Author: Sean Crose

“JUST ANNOUNCED,” Ryan Garcia wrote on social media Thursday morning. Above this post on Garcia’s X page was another post that Garcia shared from Boxing Kingdom. “Fight announced,” the sign read. “Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios. February 21. WBC welterweight title.” Garcia also posted a video on social media of himself appearing to sign the contract. “Boom,” he said, seemingly signing the document in front of him. “Here we go. Signed. I will fight for the real WBC championship belt against Mario Barrios on February 21. Get ready, because I’m coming.” Next to Garcia was what appeared to be the WBC world title belt.

Say that about Garcia, the man sure knows how to get attention. He will also face an captivating opponent this winter, if what he says is true. Like Garcia, Barrios is a man looking for redemption after drawing to an aging Manny Pacquiao earlier this year – a fight some believe he lost. As for Garcia, his glove defeat to Rolly Romero last spring did some damage to his reputation as a high-level boxer. And, of course, the positive drug tests that resulted in his victory over Devan Haney being changed to a no contest.

While he has gained as much fame on social media as he has in the ring, there is no doubt that Garcia has been a hard-hitting and fun to watch fighter throughout his career. The loss to Gervonta Davis didn’t particularly damage Garcia’s reputation, but his bizarre behavior and positive drug tests did. The defeat to Romero in Times Square only added another question mark to Garcia’s name. A good performance against Barrios can go a long way in repairing the Californian’s national team. The loss would, of course, be catastrophic.

At twenty-seven years ancient, Garcia still has a long career ahead of him if he decides to continue boxing. After all, he has never won a world title, so lifting the WBC welterweight belt from Barrios would add something novel to his boxing journey. And Barrios? Fight observers are not held in the highest regard. He can turn things around himself if he actually meets and beats Garcia in the professional ring. Let me repeat: this is not a bad combination. We’ll see if it actually comes to fruition.

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Boxing

Shakur Stevenson accuses Devin Haney of ‘false public negotiations’ after £144 settlement

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Image: Shakur Stevenson Accuses Devin Haney of "Fake Public Negotiations" After 144-Pound Agreement

Potential negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have taken another public turn after Stevenson accused his rival of engaging in “false public negotiations” following Haney’s latest comments on social media.

Haney appeared frustrated after previously agreeing to Stevenson’s proposed catchweight of 144 pounds, suggesting that even accepting those terms did not bring the fight any closer to becoming a reality.


“144 is not enough…I still don’t want to fight! Damn…@ShakurStevenson,” Haney wrote X.

Shakur later responded by dismissing this public exchange as a impoverished reflection of how main event fights actually unfold.

“The same thing you all did with Rolly. All those counterfeit public negotiations… The real negotiations take place offline.” I am the truth that you will see when you stand before me!!” Shakur posted.

Shakiur previously considered 144 pounds to be a fair compromise in a potential showdown with Haney, who has competed at welterweight in his most recent outings. Haney then signaled his willingness to accept the catchweight offer, sparking optimism that one of boxing’s most talked-about fights could gain momentum.

The latest exchange came shortly after the WBO confirmed that Haney must either defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis or risk losing the belt. While neither Haney nor Stevenson directly addressed the situation in their recent posts, the article did add another note to any future negotiations involving the former two-division world champions.

With Haney facing a WBO title decision and Shakur insisting that stern negotiations will take place behind closed doors, the pressure is now on both camps to determine whether the fight can go beyond an online exchange.

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Categories Devin Haney, Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson

Last update: 2026/06/12 at 21:45

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Shakur Stevenson Doubles Down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence Prediction: ‘Can’t Beat Him’

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Shakur Stevenson doubles down on Tim Tszyu vs Errol Spence prediction: “He can’t beat him”

Shakur Stevenson maintained his predictions for the Errol Spence Jr vs. Tim Tszyu fight, believing that one fighter would be too “mentally tough” for the other.

The meeting of the two former world champions will take place on July 25 in Australia at weight of 158 pounds to accommodate Spence’s inactivity.

Even though Tszyu insisted on fighting at super welterweight, his opponent clearly felt the extra 4 pounds would be appropriate after his three-year layoff.

This long break came after Spence suffered a ninth-round stoppage loss to Terence Crawford, who became the undisputed king of the 147-pound division in surprisingly one-sided fashion.

Spence previously held the WBC, IBF and WBA titles with victories over Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Yordenis Ugas, although a weight augment always seemed inevitable.

Now the 36-year-old hopes to revive his career against Tszyu, who is coming off a two-point win after losing to Sebastian Fundora last July.

While their rematch ended in the seventh round, Tszyu showed tremendous strength against Fundora in 2024, only to lose the WBO title via split decision.

Later that year, the Australian suffered a third-round defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev, with four-division world champion Stevenson saying: The whole fight against smoke that he thinks Spence is a level above him.

“I think so [Spence] I will do well. I wish Errol all the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats Tim Tszyu.

“I’m an Errol Spence fan; I was okay with Errol Spence before [Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally forceful – Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.

Stevenson previously suggested that Spence could “destroy” Tszyu, believing the 31-year-old’s style was tailor-made for “The Truth.”

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Shakur Stevenson expects the former champion to defeat Tim Tszyu

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Image: Errol Spence Is a Dog: Shakur Stevenson Expects Former Champ to Defeat Tim Tszyu

Despite concerns about Errol’s long three-year absence from the ring, Shakur believes the former unified welterweight champion still has what it takes to beat Tszyu.

“I think so [Spence] I will do well. I wish Errol all the best; I hope Errol goes in there and beats up Tim Tszyu,” Shakur said on Andre Ward’s channel.

“I’m an Errol Spence fan; Errol Spence was OK before [Terence Crawford] fight. I know Errol is mentally robust. Errol is a dog when it comes to fighting, so I don’t think Tim Tszyu can beat him.

Spence has not fought since a ninth-round loss to Crawford in July 2023 that cost him the WBC, WBA and IBF welterweight titles. After almost three years of break from competition, the 36-year-old is now trying to resume his career in a fresh weight class.

Meanwhile, Tszyu enters the fight with regained momentum after a arduous period in 2024. The former WBO junior middleweight champion bounced back from setbacks to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev with back-to-back victories to get back into position for his next marquee fight.

Shakur has previously expressed confidence in Spence’s chances against Tszyu, but his latest comments suggest he remains confident that the Texan’s experience, mentality and overall ability will be the deciding factor on July 25.

The fight will be one of the biggest tests of Spence’s career. While Tszyu is looking to secure a spectacular win that could redefine his position in the junior middleweight division, Errol will be looking to show that he can still compete at the highest level after an extended period of inactivity.

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