Ryan Garcia rediscovers the old magic to beat Mario Barrios
(Shakur reckons it wasn't entirely natural!) Plus, Wood beats Warrington
Mario Barrios Loses PTS 12 Ryan Garcia
In hindsight, this fight went exactly how you would expect. Of course, Ryan Garcia would be too fast and mobile for a one-dimensional plodder like Barrios. It all seems so obvious!
I got the pick badly wrong, thinking that Barrios, strong and dependable as he is, could weather any early storms and take over down the stretch, behind his strong, efficient jab. Not so. It turns out that Ryan had trained pretty hard.
Winning the WBC welterweight title, this was more like the version of ‘King Ry’ we know, rather than the dire doppelganger who snoozed to defeat versus Rolly Romero. Garcia used his surprisingly effective right hand to drop Barrios in round one. Suddenly, the man trained by Joe Goossen had more than the left hook to worry about. Only Barrios’ toughness kept him in it.
“If we fight, there better be VADA [PED testing],” joked Shakur Stevenson, knowing Garcia’s infamous failure after beating Devin Haney.
At the risk of making another incorrect prediction, I don’t think that even this punch-perfect version of Ryan has much to trouble an elite boxer like Stevenson.
Leigh Wood Wins PTS 12 Josh Warrington 2
Earlier in the evening, two dependable UK warriors tried to roll back the clock and give a reminder of what they once were. This tribute act was not short of effort and endeavour, but it fell flat.
The three scorecards of 119-110, 119-109 and 117-111, respectively, were perhaps a little harsh on Warrington’s efforts. The Leeds man spent long spells trying to claw back past memories of form.
Unable to let the shots go as frequently as before (remember the frenzied flurries of the early rounds of his fight with Carl Frampton?), even the ever-reliable headbutt was off target for the most part. Although Wood did end up with smatterings of blood at various stages.
Overall, Warrington has naturally slowed a lot since the glory days. Wood remains easy to hit, but his body work and ability to master the distance paid off. The fans loved it anyway. Wood might have a rematch with Conlan, assuming Mick wins next month. Warrington should retire. No more comebacks needed.
In other weekend action…
Richardson Hitchins was supposed to box Oscar Duarte, but Hitchins withdrew due to illness.
Gary Antuanne Russell’s WBA super-lightweight title defence did go ahead. The Texan outpointed Japan’s Andy Hiraoka, who was deducted a point for what I think is the lowest blow I’ve ever seen in round 10.
Frank Martin and Nahir Albright boxed to an exciting 10-round draw. All three judges scored it 95-95. Bektemir Melikuziev stopped Sena Agbeko in round seven.
Meanwhile, over in Nottingham, Cinderella Man Bilal Fawaz used his offbeat antics and strong engine to close out a win over Ishmael Davis. Fawaz picked up the British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles for his efforts.
In a farcical heavyweight “fight”, Dave Allen came in at 271 pounds and swung repeatedly until 39-year-old French punchbag Karim Berredjem collapsed in round one.
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Image Credits: Bad Left Hook, Boxing.com
About Steve…
Current existence: Boxing writer, eLearning educator.
Previous lives: Online editor at Boxing News Magazine. Author (8 books), podcaster (500+ eps), scriptwriter for Motivedia channel, newspaper journalist, copywriter & educator.
Contact: stevenwellings1982@gmail.com
I can‘t grasp how anyone would see the Allen „fight“ as beneficial for his career. I love Dave, but that was disgraceful.
Enjoyed reading as always Steve Enjoyed the card hitchins pull out was disappointing 😞