Ryan Garcia became a world champion in some fashion for the first time at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, defeating Mario Barrios early on his way to an emphatic points victory and the WBC welterweight title on Saturday.
How Garcia (25-2, KO20) earned a title shot remained a mystery, as he lost to Rolando Romero last May. Barrios (29-3-2, KO18) looked to be the champion for the taking there after a draw with increasing age Manny Pacquiao in his last fight, which was confirmed in a one-sided match.
The writing was on the wall within the first 30 seconds of this as Garcia’s right hand sent a shocked Barrios to the canvas.
The champion survived, but Barrios then injured two more righties, making for a spectacular start for “King Ry.”
Garcia looked great and his speed became an urgent issue for the 30-year-old as the challenger let go of his hands in the third period and he also dealt well with the counter-attack.
The Californian’s right hands landed at will, and another one in Barrios’ fifth hand wavered, and combinations also turned out to be impossible for him.
By the start of the second half, Barrios was completely outgunned and outclassed, although Garcia’s effectiveness dropped in the eighth and ninth half, but that may have been due to an injury to the 27-year-old’s powerful right hand.
Garcia continued the good work with his striking combinations and when he took a breather he simply held Barrios to the end of the jab and once the fight was on the cards the outcome was inevitable as a modern world champion was crowned.
Garcia scored a dominant victory by scores of 120-107, 119-108 and 118-109 and immediately identified Shakur Stevenson as his future opponent.
Garcia dominated Barrios. Photo: Cris Equeda/Golden Boy
Russell defeats Hiraoka
Gary Antuanne Russell (19-1, 17 KO) set Andy Hiraoka’s undefeated record after twelve rounds at super lightweight and defended the WBA title.
One score of 117-110 and two scores of 116-111 gave Russell (19-1, 17 KO) the victory in a hard-fought fight in which Hiraoka (24-1, 19 KO) had a point deducted for low blows in round ten.
Undercard remaining
In a 10-round action, Frank Martin (19-1-1, 13 KO) and Nahir Albright (17-2-1, 7 KO) fought to a draw in the super lightweight category.
All three cards resulted in a 95-95 verdict in a stalemate.
Bektemir Melikuziev (17-1, 11 KO) made his first appearance in 2026, and the Uzbek defeated Sena Agbeko (29-5, 23 KO) in the seventh round of their super middleweight clash.
Middleweight hopeful Amari Jones (16-0, 14 KO) picked up another early victory, this time defeating Luis Arias (22-7-1, 11 KO) in the fourth round of their middleweight clash.
Mohammed Alakel (8-0, 2 KO) got the job done in six rounds against super featherweight David Calabro (5-2, 3 KO). and heavyweight newcomer Joshua Edwards (6-0, 5 KO) won all six rounds over Brandon Colantonio (7-2, 1 KO).
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Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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