MARIO’S WORLD
Garcia to set up a Haney rematch. Only Romero spoiled it, putting on the best performance of his career, dropping Garcia in the second round and gliding to a unanimous decision. Garcia was never able to launch his trademark left hook – or do anything against Romero, for that matter. Now enter Barrios, The Ring’s No. 10-ranked welterweight. Barrios, 30, knows the math. The 27-year- old Garcia is supposed to do to him what he failed to do to Romero. “I’m training with a purpose, and this is one fight that I have to leave a statement
with for all the people counting me out even before I step in the ring,” said Barrios, whose two losses have come against Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Keith Thurman in consecutive fights in 2021 and 2022. He is 3-2-2 over his last seven bouts. “The way I am counted out, I know I must have the kind of performance where I leave people in awe. Ryan Garcia bit off more than he can chew for a comeback fight. He’s already looking at a Haney rematch. That’s a big mistake.”
Barrios admits it motivates him when he takes his morning runs. His long training sessions are filled with internal dialogue. “I channel a lot of that energy going through those workouts, and I think to myself after two, three hours, ‘Why the fuck am I doing this?’ he says. “Because motherfuckers like Garcia think that shit is sweet and he can walk right in and take my title. He is already looking past this fight like he looked past the Rolly fight. I worked my ass off to be in the position that I am in. And if it means people are looking down on me, and it opens doors, I’ll take it. I’ll take that at the bargaining table. “People want to see me as an easy mark, great; it gives me more opportunities. But once we are in that ring and they want to look at me like that, that is their mistake. That’s the mistake this guy is going to make with me. I have more heart and more skill than he does. I have more determination than he does. I live in a real world. He doesn’t. I’m away from my baby girl right now to get
The legendary Pacquiao also held Barrios to a draw in July.
RINGMAGAZINE.COM 65
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker