Ryan Garcia has officially announced that his next fight will be for the WBC welterweight world title, confirming he has signed to face reigning champion Mario Barrios on February 21. The news comes just months after Garcia suffered a unanimous decision loss to Rolando “Rolly” Romero in May, a setback that included a second-round knockdown and marked his debut at 147 lbs.
Garcia shared a video on Instagram putting pen to paper beside the WBC’s green and gold belt, declaring: “Signed. I am going to be fighting for the real WBC Championship belt against Mario Barrios, February 21st. Get ready, I’m coming.” The announcement arrives only days after Garcia publicly challenged Conor Benn for a UK stadium fight, suggesting his plans have shifted back toward world title ambitions.
The move has sparked debate among fans and contenders alike. Garcia is not currently ranked by the WBC and still receives an immediate title shot, mirroring circumstances surrounding Barrios’ last defense - a draw against unranked boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. The situation has drawn criticism from top welterweight contenders who continue to wait for a mandatory title opportunity.
Barrios has held the WBC belt since June 2024, when he was elevated from interim to full champion following Terence Crawford’s move up in weight. Since then, he has retained the title through two draws, first with Abel Ramos and most recently in a high-profile matchup with Pacquiao.
Official promotional confirmation from PBC and Golden Boy Promotions is still pending, but Garcia’s signature signals a major February showdown and a chance for him to rewrite his welterweight narrative in the most significant way possible.
Image Credit: ESPN