Mario Barrios is Ready to Prove That He’s a Force at Welterweight!
For Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (26-1, 17KOs), his February 5 fight with former unified welterweight champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (29-1, 22KOs) is an opportunity to show he belongs among the best welterweights in the world. Thurman will perhaps be the former WBA Regular junior welterweight champion’s career-best opposition for his welterweight debut. The San Antonio, Texas native is viewed by many as a good fighter, but not an elite one.
After losing to Gervonta Davis in June 2021, Barrios has decided to move up in weight. There he will face even bigger and more difficult challenges. However, the confidence has only gotten stronger ahead of this big fight. Not one for much banter, Barrios made it clear he’s coming to make a statement on February 5.
He said the following at the final press conference:
“I took this fight for a reason, and that’s to just let everybody know, whether it’s the fans, whether it’s the fighters, you know I’m here and you know I’m ready.”
It’s clear from his statement that he is aware of the talk about how Thurman should win their fight. Fueled by the opportunity to silence his critics as well as put the other big names in the division on notice, Barrios will look to upset Thurman, who’s coming off more than two years of inactivity.
Needless to say, Barrios must win this fight if he wants to be seen as an elite fighter. A win puts him in position for even bigger fights. Ideal names include the Errol Spence-Yordenis Ugas winner, WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford or top contender Jaron Ennis, among others.
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By: Jerrell Fletcher
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