Ryan Garcia has the chance to become world champion for the first time in his career on Saturday. Garcia will face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in a high-stakes showdown from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Live►►🔴➡️ Barrios-vs-Garcia-fight

Live►►🔴➡️ Barrios-vs-Garcia-fight

Live►►🔴➡️ Barrios-vs-Garcia-fight

Garcia is one of boxing’s top stars, though various missteps have set his career back at multiple times. After starting his career 23-0, Garcia was dominated by Gervonta “Tank” Davis before Davis scored a seventh-round knockout with a body shot. Two fights later, Garcia put on a career-best performance, knocking down WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney multiple times en route to a majority decision victory. Unfortunately, Garcia missed weight for the bout, seemingly not even attempting to make the junior welterweight limit after months of apparent struggles with a mental illness episode playing out on social media. Compounding those issues, Garcia failed his drug test for the fight and the result was overturned to a no-contest.

Garcia followed up his suspension from the failed drug test with a listless performance against Rolando Romero, dropping the fight by a clear unanimous decision.

Barrios vs Garcia

Barrios vs Garcia | IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia moneyline odds

Mario Barrios: +195

Ryan Garcia: -250

Over 10.5 Rounds: -135

Under 10.5 Rounds: +100

Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia method of victory

Mario Barrios by decision: +320

Mario Barrios by KO/TKO: +750

Ryan Garcia by decision: +240

Ryan Garcia by KO/TKO: +120

Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia prediction

Mario Barrios

Mario Barrios | IMAGO / Ipnho Photography

Despite entering the fight as the champion riding a five-fight unbeaten streak, Barrios finds himself as the underdog against Garcia. The line has as much to do with Garcia’s popularity as it does with Barrios’ uninspiring title reign, full of lackluster performances against lesser opponents.

Garcia has just one official victory in the last three years, but fans still see the explosive potential in him. Garcia’s stock took a hit in his loss to Romero, but he continues to ride the high of his three-knockdown performance against Devin Haney in April 2024.

Controversy aside, Garcia’s power and speed were on full display in his performance against Haney. He lacks the technical skills of a world-class champion, but nothing else matters if his lightning-quick left hook lands.

MORE: Watch Mario Barrios face Ryan Garcia live on DAZN

Garcia has a clear power advantage, but his loss to Romero showed that his entire game falls apart when the left hook does not land. Barrios has been knocked down four times in his last nine fights, but only one was from a lead hook. The Mexican primarily struggles to defend straight punches, which has been his downfall in recent fights.

Garcia can change everything with one left hook, which can land at any moment, particularly with how lazy some of Barrios’ jabs can be. But if there is one person in the world who knows how to shut down that part of his game, it is Joe Goossen, who led Garcia’s camp for over a year. Goossen will be in Barrios’ corner on Saturday night.

As the taller fighter with more fundamental tools in his bag, Barrios will force Garcia to bring the fight to him. Garcia has had success with that in the past, but he does his best work as a counter-puncher.

Until he proves otherwise, Garcia has not shown enough improvement to become a world champion.

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