Who is favored in Garcia vs. Barrios is an intriguing one in that normally it might be more obvious in boxing to call that. Let’s analyze.
Coming into the fight Ryan Garcia is obviously the big name and star of the two boxers. He is one of the biggest names in boxing and certainly of all active US boxers in pro boxing coming into the fight.
But that does not always equal success in the ring.
Mario Barrios on the other hand is not as well known to those outside of boxing but is the WBC welterweight champion of the world. You must beat the champion decisively take the belt and Garcia cannot just come into this fight and expect to win the title based on last year.
Garcia is also a lot less favored by boxing fans in general in recent times and again appears erratic outside the ring, people can see through much of his nonsense, he appears to recently be drinking alcohol even not long ago in the run up to a big title fight, not good.
He is a fast fighter and has some punching power but he is in decline in recent times and last year he was absolutely woeful in his loss to Rolly Romero.
He lost in that world title fight and did not impress last year at all in New York and will want to put that right.
At the same time Mario Barrios had an under par performance last year but only to the brilliant Manny Pacquiao who for us beat Barrios last year but the fight was declared a draw.
So, you have to beat the champion decisively if you want to take his title on points, that old saying remains true for us.
It is up to Garcia to come in there and try to shock Barrios early with some stuff he hasn’t seen before.
Usually, we’d say Ryan Garcia should be favored here but not the case for us.
We think on February 21st Mario Barrios even though he is champion can spring an upset and defeat Garcia potentially.
Close fight though.
Difficult to call.
