Boxing is better when Ryan Garcia is on top of his game

LAS VEGAS – “Crossroads fight” is one of the most overused terms in boxing. However, in the case of Ryan Garcia, it was more than fitting for his fight against Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Saturday.

A victory would allow Garcia to realize his enormous potential and capture his first major world title after a tumultuous few years in which many people questioned whether his desire would ever match his immense potential and exceptional talent. A loss would have been devastating for one of the most popular fighters in all of boxing, relegating him to one of the greatest “What If?” stories from recent memory.

Fortunately for Garcia, the first scenario occurred as he dominated Barrios with a blistering combination of speed and power while achieving a near-shutout at T-Mobile Arena to win his first world championship. This victory opened up a plethora of lucrative opportunities for him in his first title defense, as he will have his pick of an incredibly deep field of opponents clamoring for the opportunity to get in the ring with him.

And, truth be told, boxing is in a better position when Garcia is at the top of his game.

“I feel so grounded and at peace,” Garcia said at the post-fight press conference, contrasting two turbulent years in which he faced adversity in and out of the ring. “I don’t even think I’ve reached my ceiling of potential yet. I think it’s going to get even crazier and I’m going to be even better than what I showed today.”

Garcia was brilliant in dismantling Barrios, who couldn’t keep up with Garcia’s exceptional speed and precise punches that left him like a deer in headlights for most of the fight. Garcia is a special talent with a devastating left hook. However, he showcased a well-rounded set of skills that started with a pair of overhand rights in the first round that put Barrios on the canvas and set the tone for the rest of the fight. Simply put, when Garcia is at his best, few can match his unique skillset.

Garcia has always been willing to test himself against boxing’s best, but his previous attempts might have been premature, as losses to Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Rolando “Rolly” Romero – as well as his no-contest against Devin Haney due to a failed test for a banned substance – thwarted his progress. His performance on Saturday suggests that he is ready to fully exploit his potential and take on all challengers.

“You know who I want? He’s here. So, Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” Garcia said in the ring after his victory. “Hey, I want to be a great champion, and I’m not afraid of bullshit. I fought Devin Haney. I’ll fight Shakur Stevenson. I’ll fight anyone.”

Garcia lost to Stevenson as an amateur in 2013 and has been waiting to get his revenge ever since. With Stevenson’s recent domination of Teofimo Lopez Jr. to become the WBO junior welterweight champion, it seems likely that a fight could happen between the two.

“I still have that chip on my shoulder,” Garcia said. “I’ve been wanting this rematch for a minute. I hope we get it.”

With Garcia already solidified as a star and Stevenson on the rise thanks to his recent performance, a fight between the two could be one of the biggest in boxing. And Stevenson doesn’t see anything that would stop this fight from happening next.

“He wants to fight me, and I want to fight him, so it should be easy to do,” Stevenson said on DAZN’s post-fight show. “I’ll make it easier for him.”

Between the trash talk and the clash of styles, Garcia-Stevenson would be a huge fight, even if there was no world title. However, another possibility for Garcia is a rematch with WBO welterweight champion Haney, which would be a massive title unification fight with an enticing storyline attached.

Garcia and Haney have unfinished business with significantly higher stakes now that they are both world champions. Garcia-Haney 2 should be THE fight to succeed afterwards.

“Devin doesn’t want this,” Garcia said dismissively. “He’s terrified.”

Aside from Stevenson and Haney, fighters such as Conor Benn and Romero all want a piece of “KingRy.”

“Congratulations champion. See you later this year. Make sure you keep my belt warm,” Benn, who recently left Matchroom Boxing to sign with Zuffa Boxing, posted on X after the fight.

As for Stevenson, a showdown with Benn in the UK in his welterweight debut would be the perfect way to prepare him to face the winner of Garcia-Haney.

Years ago, Garcia was one of the four new kings of boxing, but he was an uncrowned king before his fight Saturday. Now that he has been crowned and taken his place as one of the leaders of the welterweight division, everything seems bigger and more meaningful. He already had the money and the fame. He now enjoys the respect of his peers.

The stakes are higher than ever for Garcia, and things are much more interesting when he’s playing at a high level.