2<\/p>\n Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against GarciaCredit: Getty<\/p>\n His standpoint was shared by legendary father, Nigel, who told the Ariel Helwani show on Wednesday night: \u201cPersonally, I want the WBC around your waist, like me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like him to fight for the WBC against Barrios. Win the WBC and then fight Ryan Garcia<\/a>. That’s my dream.”<\/p>\n However, it seems Benn will have to wait a little longer for his shot at the green and gold strap.<\/p>\n As Garcia took to social media in the early hours of Thursday morning to upload a video of himself putting pen to paper on what he insisted was a contract to face Barrios for the Mexican-American’s green and gold strap.<\/p>\n \u201cYo \u2013 signed,\u201d said Garcia, who had also called out Benn after his most recent win. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be fighting for the real WBC championship belt, against Mario Barrios, February 21st.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGet ready, \u2018cause I\u2019m coming. Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n The fight hasn’t been officially announced by organisers yet…<\/p>\n At the time of writing, neither Garcia’s representatives, Golden Boy Promotions, nor Barrios’ promoter, Premier Boxing Champions, has officially announced the fight.<\/p>\n Regardless, it has been widely reported that ‘King Ry’ was on the verge of finalising terms with Barrios.<\/p>\n Garcia isn’t currently ranked at 147lbs by the WBC and was banned by the major sanctioning body in July 2024 after posting a series of racial slurs on social media.<\/p>\n The suspension was, however, lifted earlier this month by the WBC Board of Governors, clearing the way for Garcia to re-enter their rankings and face Barrios for the world title.<\/p>\n \u201cThe WBC Board of Governors has voted in favor of lifting the suspension on Ryan Garcia after his successful and documented process,\u201d read a statement from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman on November 4.<\/p>\n \u201cThe WBC has been very close to Ryan, his family, his management team, and promoter, and we are confident that he will start a new life inside and outside the ring. <\/p>\n “We welcome you with open arms and trust that you will be an ambassador for the new generation.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios’ recent form<\/p>\n Garcia (24-2) returned to the ring in May following a 12-month doping suspension, to lose on points to Rolly Romero<\/a> for the vacant WBA ‘regular’ strap.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old was dropped early and appeared hesitant to let his hands go throughout the bout at New York’s Times Square.<\/p>\n![\"Barrios](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2225205768.jpg\")
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