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One of modern boxing’s most popular fighters returns to the ring this weekend when Ryan Garcia takes on Mario Barrios. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas provides the setting for this 12-round contest, with the winner leaving clutching the WBC welterweight world title.
Which warrior will come out on top and pave the way for a successful 2026?
Barrios is the current world champion, but has drawn each of his previous two outings. The 30-year-old American retained the belt, but many boxing fans believe his reign is coming to an end. Will Ryan Garcia take full advantage?
The challenger from California is also winless in his previous two starts, including a defeat on points in his most recent contest.
Fancy predicting the winner and targeting a profit while you follow Barrios vs Garcia on TV and live streaming apps?
The leading online bookmakers featured on this page offer pre-fight betting odds and markets, including winner, total rounds, and the method of victory. Former professional boxer Frank Monkhouse uses the stats and trends to find you a bet.
Barrios v Garcia tips
Over 7.5 rounds @ 1/3 (bet365)
Fight to go the distance @ 10/11 (bet365)
Garcia win on points @ 5/2 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Total rounds - over 7.5
The most popular legal sportsbooks offer a long list of betting options on Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia. You can call the winner or play one of the many specials, such as the total rounds.
With this approach, the name of the winning fighter and how they achieve victory aren’t important. You’re on Barrios vs Garcia to go beyond the midway point of round seven.
Your bet wins if Barrios ends victorious on points. You’ll also land a profit if Garcia scores a showreel knockout in the closing seconds of the final round.
As long as the WBC title fight makes it to 1:30 of the seventh round, you can celebrate. The odds make it a bet best suited to your weekend multiples, but the stats suggest we’re looking in the right places.
A wager on over seven rounds landed in each of Garcia’s last four bouts, a run stretching back to April 2023. In that time, we’ve seen a points defeat, a no-contest, an eighth-round KO win, and a seventh-round KO defeat to Gervonta Davis.
The same bet scored in each of Mario’s last seven, going back to the summer of 2021. Bet on over 7.5 rounds in this fight.
Tip: Over 7.5 rounds @ 1/3 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Barrios vs Garcia lasts longer than seven rounds, you’ll secure a profit.
Fight to go the distance - yes
Barrios vs Garcia is scheduled to start at 04:00 UK time, and the second bet to consider is the fight lasting the distance.
Again, the winner isn’t important; all you need is for Mario and Ryan to make it to the final bell. A points win for either gladiator boosts your betting balance. A premature end to the showdown makes your bet a loser, and the bookies keep your stake.
Similar to our previous prediction, we take confidence from the stats and the recent form of both men. It’s worth knowing that Mario’s last four fights all travelled the 12-round distance.
That run goes back to September 2023 and includes two wins, followed by back-to-back draws. His CV shows Barrios ended level with Manny Pacquiao last time out at the MGM Grand.
Switching to Garcia, the fighter based in Los Angeles, went the distance in his previous two.
The challenger’s meeting with Devin Haney ended in a no-contest after a dozen rounds, before he was beaten on the scorecards by Rolando Romero in New York in May 2025. Garcia beat Haney on points, but tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Tip: Fight to go the distance @ 10/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Barrios vs Garcia to last 12 rounds in Las Vegas.
Method of victory - Garcia on points
Having backed the bout to go beyond 7.5 rounds and the contest to last the distance, we round things off by picking sides.
We’re taking a chance on Ryan Garcia to beat Mario Barrios on points. You’ll find this bet in the method of victory market available on the bet365 website and mobile app. Both parts of the bet must land for you to enjoy a profit.
Each of the champion’s last two bouts have ended in draws over the distance, with his most recent win recorded almost two years ago.
The cards against Abel Ramos ended 112-114, 113-113, 116-110 in Arlington in late 2024. Following 12 pulsating rounds with Pac-Man, the result was 114-114, 115-113, and 114-114. Barrios didn’t lose to Manny on any scorecard.
Switching to Garcia, we see he was the first man to defeat Devin Haney, only to have that stunning win overturned after testing positive for Ostarine.
Garcia knocked Haney down three times that night, but it didn’t count and was removed from the history books. After moving up to the welterweight division, Garcia will be too fast for his 30-year-old opponent.
Tip: Garcia on points @ 5/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Ryan Garcia must defeat Mario Barrios on points to land this bet.
Barrios v Garcia
Mario Barrios win @ 37/20 (bet365)
Ryan Garcia win @ 20/49 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.