The Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia undercard has been confirmed, and it boasts two additional world title contests.
Ryan Garcia failed when he challenged for Rolando Romero’s WBA Regular Welterweight World title in his first fight back from a doping ban last May, losing a points decision despite entering the contest as the favourite.
Despite that, the 27-year-old has been greenlit for a second consecutive title shot, as he collides with WBC world champion Mario Barrios at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 21.
Should Garcia be successful against ‘El Azteca’, a major fight is expected to take place during the second half of the 2026 calendar, either against Conor Benn, the victor of Lopez-Stevenson or a grudge match rematch against another welterweight champion in Devin Haney.
However, after underwhelming against Romero, Garcia will know he must keep his eyes on the prize and not allow thoughts about what may come post-Barrios to enter his mind. Barrios, on the other hand, is looking to keep ahold of his belt with a statement win, having only retained it with draws so far against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao respectively.
In the co-main event, Richardson Hitchins will defend his IBF super-lightweight world title for the second time. The New Yorker will be tasked with a former Garcia opponent in Oscar Duarte, who partakes in a maiden title challenge, entering off the back of a four-fight win streak that followed his 2023 defeat to the Vegas show’s headliner.
Meanwhile, after almost a year of waiting, WBA super-lightweight ruler Gary Antuanne Russell will finally meet with Andy Hiraoka, who has been inactive since September 2024 whilst attempting to secure his shot at the American.
The WBA ordered Russell-Hiraoka last April and the bout was expected to take place on the Pacquiao-Barrios bill in July, then the Jake Paul-Gervonta Davis card in November, but was cancelled twice.
Rounding off the card, Frank Martin returns to face Nahir Albright in the super-lightweight ranks and Bektemir Melikuziev clashes with Sena Agbeko at super-middleweight.
