Ryan Garcia announced today on social media that his next fight will be against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21, 2026.
Benn’s Title Hopes Derailed
The move by Ryan (24-2, 20 KOs) takes away one of the options for the British star Conor Benn, who mentioned last Saturday that he wanted to challenge Barrios 29-2-2, 18 KOs) for his WBC 147-lb title. Now, he’ll have to wait in line to fight the winner. If Conor wants that title, he can always fight whoever emerges when the smoke clears.
A 1-2-1 Challenger Gets the Call
Some fans aren’t overly excited by this announcement. Garcia isn’t currently ranked in the WBC’s top 15 at 147 and has a record of 1-2-1 going into this fight. That’s not exactly the kind of record one sees typically from a contender challenging for a world title. Not ranked in the top 15 and coming off a loss, this move looks bad.
Garcia, 27, is getting his second straight title shot at a 147-lb belt after losing in an attempt to capture the vacant WBA belt in a 12-round unanimous decision defeat against Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero on Turki Alalshikh’s event earlier this year on May 2, 2025, at Times Square in New York.
Surprisingly, Kingry was dropped in the second round by Romero, and lost by the scores 115-112, 118-109, and 115-112. It was a listless performance by Garcia, who appeared to stop fighting hard after round two.
“Signed. I’m going to be fighting for the real WBC championship belt against Mario Barrios on February 21st. Get ready because I’m coming,” said Ryan Garcia on Instagram, announcing his next fight against WBC 147-lb champion Mario Barrios in 2026.
“As promised, the announcement of my next fight! I will be fighting for the 147-pound WBC championship. Just wait and see the MAGIC 🪄 @wbcboxing @wbcmoro. MARIO BARRIOS I’M COMING FOR YOU,” said Ryan Garcia on Instagram.
Ryan has the hand speed and power to defeat the 30-year-old Barrios, who has fought poorly in his last two fights against 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao and Abel Ramos, both ending in 12-round draws.
Barrios: The ‘Weakest Link’ Champion
Those performances showed Barrios’ vulnerability, as he struggled against guys that WBO champion Brian Norman Jr. would likely have blown out of the water. As such, one has to give Ryan Garcia an excellent chance of dethroning Marrios to become the WBC beltholder on February 21st.
It’s not the ideal champion Garcia should be fighting if he wants to make noise in the welterweight division, but this is a champion that fans on social media view as the weakest link.