Ryan Garcia is keeping one eye on the future, but only after handling business this Saturday against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old challenger has made it clear that victory would open the door to a marquee clash he is “really interested” in pursuing.
Garcia faces a stern test in Barrios, who enters as the defending champion despite back-to-back draws against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao. While Barrios’ reign at 147lbs has drawn criticism, he remains a high-volume, all-action fighter capable of maintaining a ferocious pace. Garcia, meanwhile, is also seeking redemption following a points defeat to Rolando Romero in May.
Looking beyond Saturday’s bout, Garcia named Shakur Stevenson as the opponent he would most like to face next. Speaking to Nightcap, he acknowledged that such a fight would demand the very best version of himself.
“I’m really interested in the Shakur fight – it gets me going – and those are the type of fights that [will bring] the best out of me,” Garcia said. “Definitely, he’s somebody I wanna look into after this fight [with Barrios].”
Stevenson recently became a four-division world champion by dethroning Teofimo Lopez and has since stated that any opponent meeting him at 147lbs would have to accept a rehydration clause. Garcia claims he can make a 144lb catchweight - though that remains to be tested.
Image Credit: Golden Boy Promotions