Ryan Garcia’s world title fight finally confirmed with date and location announced

Ryan Garcia will challenge Mario Barrios for his WBC welterweight world title next month.

The American superstar made the shot despite losing his first and only fight in this category, having been edged out by Rolando Romero in Times Square last year. In fact, he hasn’t won since facing Oscar Duarte in December 2023, with his majority decision over Devin Haney in 2024 overturned as a no-contest after a failed drug test.

Barrios will mark the third defense of his belt since moving from interim champion to full champion when Terence Crawford vacated the belt in June 2024. He retained it with two draws, one against Abel Ramos and the other against Manny Pacquiao.

The fight will headline a Ring Card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on February 21. in association with Golden Boy and TGB Promotions, with the undercard yet to be announced. It will be broadcast on DAZN.

The winner will face number one contender Conor Benn, who returns to welterweight after two fights at middleweight – a loss and a win – against Chris Eubank Jr.

Garcia’s injection into the title picture, while frustrating for other top contenders, represents a big-name fight in a stacked division. Devin Haney recently moved up to the weight class and defeated Brian Norman Jr for the WBO belt. Romero, who won the WBA Interim belt by beating Garcia last year, is now champion in his own right after Jaron Ennis moved up to 154 pounds. Lewis Crocker from Belfast completes the rankings as IBF champion.