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Barrios overlooked again as Garcia’s coronation narrative gathers pace in Las Vegas

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Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia go head to head during fight week

Mario Barrios did not attend Ryan Garcia’s coronation. In Las Vegas, the scene seemed familiar.

A familiar attraction, a deafening fight week narrative and a champion standing in the background while most of the noise went elsewhere.

Much of the action centered around Ryan Garcia and what many consider to be the world title’s opening night. Barrios, however, is the one who holds the WBC welterweight belt and is approaching the week like someone determined to keep it.

“Nothing bothers me,” Barrios said. “There’s a reason I’m the champion. I’m not a talker when it comes to that, but every time I fight, I leave it all in the ring.”

Pacquiao fight confirmed

Barrios has been underrated for most of his career, and the July fight with Pacquiao is still a prime example of that. He entered into this written in many circles.

The fight ended in a draw, and Barrios retained the title. The subsequent consensus, including World Boxing News’ view at the time, was that Pacquiao had built a slim lead.

Barrios didn’t get the recognition that usually comes with a “name” performance, but he brought something to the table this week: proof that he can withstand that pressure and still walk away with the belt.

Garcia has the spotlight, Barrios has the belt

Garcia spoke like a warrior preparing for something bigger than one night.

“There’s not much I haven’t seen in boxing,” Garcia said. “You never really know what you’re going to get until you step in the ring. I’m just preparing as best I can. So we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Garcia is one of the most recognizable names in boxing, but he’s still chasing what Barrios already has. It’s also his second attempt at a world title in a modern division after a loss to Rolly Romero, and the tone around fight week has tilted heavily toward the climax.

Barrios talks about work, not ceremony.

“I want to make him uncomfortable and exploit his weaknesses every round,” Barrios said.

Golden Boy

Preparation on side plots

Even the coach’s storyline was kept in perspective. Joe Goossen has worked with Garcia before, but rejected the notion that it provided a greater advantage.

“I don’t think it would give me a massive advantage because the tape can just be torn off,” Goossen said. “You have so many fights to watch. Working with Ryan on these three fights has given me some insight, but I wouldn’t say it will be anything significant.”

This approach is consistent with Barrios’ tone. Does not respond to attention. He’s not trying to win a press conference.

Barrios shows the same concentration as he did during the Pacquiao fight, when the crowd had already decided how the evening would go.

Garcia may be the center of attention, but Barrios is the champion. If this week has been defined as a celebration, Barrios is preparing to turn it into a title defense.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN), boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

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Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

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Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker’s summer fight plan

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Image: Adam Smith reveals Ben Whittaker summer fight plan

Ben Whittaker’s next few months are already taking shape following his quick knockout victory in Liverpool, and Adam Smith outlines a busy summer schedule that should finally see the delicate heavyweight fighter face stronger tests

Smith said Whittaker is expected to return to the United States in overdue June on the Jaron “Boots” Ennis card, then return to the UK in the summer for a major date in his hometown of Birmingham.


Whittaker stopped Brian Suarez in two rounds last weekend and performed brilliantly throughout, adding another early finish to the stretch that helped rebuild attention around him after his first fight with Liam Cameron ended in a draw.

Smith said the June outing would support expose Whittaker to a wider audience ahead of a bigger national night later in the year.

“He will fight at the end of June in America at the Boots Ennis gala. That’s good. Show him to a global audience. Then he will come back here in overdue summer, maybe early September and fight in Birmingham in a huge fight,” Adam Smith said in an interview with Sport Boxing.

Smith also named British opponents who could be next, naming Lyndon Arthur, Brad Rea and Craig Richards as possible options once Whittaker returns home.

Smith believes that in the long term, bigger domestic fights with Joshua Buatsi and Anthony Yard should come within the next year if Whittaker continues to win.

“Buatsis and Yards need to be delivered within the next 6-12 months.”

Whittaker has had a lot of notoriety since turning pro, but the activity and matchmaking are looking more grave now. The next two fights should tell more than the first ten.

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Last updated: 24/04/2026 at 17:38

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