James Toney rates Ryan Garcia’s chances of beating Mario Barrios for first world title

James Toney has offered Ryan Garcia a few words of advice, urging him to implement a strict game plan ahead of his clash with WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

It was announced on Monday that the pair will square off at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on February 21, with many questioning whether Garcia deserves such a meaningful opportunity.

The 27-year-old is, after all, coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Rolando Romero, where he suffered a second-round knockdown and was ultimately outworked down the stretch.

Prior to that, Garcia claimed a majority decision victory over Devin Haney, which was later overturned to a no-contest due to him testing positive for performance-enhancing substance ostarine.

But despite having remained out of the win column since his eighth-round finish over Oscar Duarte in 2023, ‘King Ry’ has nonetheless secured a world title shot against Barrios, who retained his title following a controversial draw with Manny Pacquiao in July.

In that particular contest, Barrios showed limited technical prowess but ultimately maintained a terrific work rate, making for a competitive spectacle as their fight progressed.

Based on this, pound-for-pound legend Toney has identified Garcia’s clearest route to victory as being a disciplined boxing display, not getting involved in a phone booth-type battle that may favour his opponent.

Speaking with MillCity Boxing, Toney stressed that Garcia must stick to this strategy or risk the possibility of getting stopped, just like he did against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in 2023.

“It should be a good, all-out Mexican war. If he [Garcia] can outbox him, or anything like that, I think he should win.

“If he boxes him [Barrios], he’s going to win. If he does [the same thing he did] against ‘Tank’, [it will be the] same result.”

Barrios, meanwhile, will look to claim his first win since being elevated from interim to full WBC champion, with two draws against Pacquiao and Abel Ramos having hardly cemented him as an elite fighter at 147lbs.