Bob Santos, the trainer of newly-crowned WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, expressed excitement about Barrios being elevated to full champion from his previous interim status. With this elevation, Barrios' team is eyeing significant future matchups, including bouts against boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Devin Haney.
The WBC recently announced Barrios as the new champion, following Terence Crawford's move to champion-in-recess as he prepares for a junior middleweight clash with Israil Madrimov. Crawford's return to the welterweight division remains uncertain, providing Barrios with a unique opportunity to solidify his position and pursue high-profile fights.
Santos expressed confidence and readiness for Barrios to take on big names in the division.
"We’re thrilled about that. It’s a good thing, obviously, and I know he’s happy about that. We earned it in the ring," Santos. He mentioned that their team had anticipated Crawford's move to a higher weight class, which paved the way for Barrios to step into the spotlight at 147 pounds.
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Welcoming the prospect of fighting Manny Pacquiao or Devin Haney, Santos emphasized Barrios's willingness to face top-tier competition.
"Mario, the one thing about him, I said it many, many times, is he takes on all challenges. He has never taken the easy route. He’s never turned down a fight since we’ve been with him," Santos stated.
Barrios, who has previously fought and lost to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman, has demonstrated resilience by winning three consecutive fights since those defeats. His recent victories, including capturing the interim title against Yordenis Ugas, highlight his capability and readiness for bigger challenges. Addressing concerns about Barrios's eye injury in his last fight, Santos clarified that it was due to a severe sinus infection, not the result of significant in-ring damage.
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Image Credit: Sky Sports