Mario Barrios

Last updated
Mario Barrios
Born
Mario Thomas Barrios

(1995-05-18) May 18, 1995 (age 29)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Other namesEl Azteca
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins29
Wins by KO18
Losses2

Mario Thomas Barrios (born May 18, 1995) [1] is an American professional boxer who held the WBA (Regular) super lightweight title from 2019 to June 2021. As of October 2021, he is ranked as the world's ninth-best active super lightweight by The Ring. [2]

Contents

Professional career

Barrios turned professional in 2013. On May 11, 2019, Barrios faced Juan Jose Velasco. Barrios got the KO win via a spectacular body shot in the second round. [3]

WBA (Regular) super-lightweight champion

Barrios vs. Akhmedov

On September 28, 2019, Barrios was victorious against undefeated Batyr Akhmedov by unanimous decision, with scores of 114–112, 115–111, 116–111, to win the vacant WBA (Regular) super lightweight title in a tough contest on the undercard of Errol Spence Jr. vs. Shawn Porter, in which Barrios dropped Akhmedov twice in the fourth and twelfth rounds but took considerable punishment resulting in most of his face being swollen. [4] [5] The decision was considered controversial by many pundits and observers. [6]

Barrios vs. Karl

On October 31, 2020, in front of his hometown crowd at Alamodrome in San Antonio, Texas on the undercard of Gervonta Davis vs. Léo Santa Cruz, Barrios defended his WBA (Regular) title with a sixth-round technical knockout victory against Ryan Karl. In the sixth round, an accidental head clash caused a bad cut over Karl’s right eye, and blood poured down his face. After the cut was examined by the ringside doctor, the fight resumed and the two men immediately went hard after each other, until Barrios dropped Karl during with a pair of left hooks to the chin during a fierce exchange. As soon as Karl went down, the referee called off the fight at 2 minutes, 23 seconds. At the time of the stoppage, Barrios led 48–47, 49–46, 49–46 on the judges' scorecards. [7]

Barrios vs. Davis

Barrios faced fellow undefeated Gervonta Davis on Showtime PPV on June 26, 2021, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. [8] Davis knocked Barrios down twice in the eighth round, and again in the eleventh round en route to an eleventh-round technical knockout victory, handing Barrios his first professional loss. [9] At the time of the stoppage, Barrios was down 97–91 and 96–92 twice on the judges' scorecards. [10]

Move up to Welterweight

Barrios vs. Thurman

After the loss to Davis, Barrios decided to move up a weight-class and challenge the former-unified (WBA and WBC) welterweight champion Keith "One Time" Thurman, who, like him, was coming off of a loss.

Their bout took place at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on 5 February 2022, with their fight also serving as a WBC welterweight world title eliminator. [11]

And after 12 rounds of boxing, Barrios lost a clear unanimous decision with scores of 117–111 and two scores of 118–110. [12]

WBC Continental Americas Welterweight title

Barrios vs. Santiago

A year after the second consecutive defeat of his professional boxing career, Barrios then faced Puerto Rican Jovanie "El Lobito" Santiago in a welterweight under-card fight for the O'Shaquie "Ice Water Shock" Foster vs Rey Vargas pay-per-view bout on 11 February 2023, at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.

The fight with Santiago was also for the then-vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title.

After seven tough-fought rounds that saw both fighters unwilling to give the other the upper hand, in the eighth round, Barrios landed a wicked left hook to Santiago's liver that crumpled the Puerto Rican on the ropes.

Santiago managed to beat the 10-count and got back up on his feet, but, with blood in smelt in the air, Barrios bull-rushed his obviously still-hurting opponent and began landing a barrage of combinations on him.

Seeing enough, Santiago's corner threw in the towel which prompted referee Mark Calo-Oy to stop the fight at 1:42 of the 8th round and thus making Barrios the victor of their fight by way of technical-knock-out and the new holder of the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title.

WBC Interim welterweight champion

Barrios vs. Ugás

Seven months and a half after his victory over Santiago, Barrios clashed with former WBA (Super) welterweight title holder Yordenis "54 Milagros" Ugás for the then-vacant Interim WBC welterweight title. With their fight also serving as an under-card fight for the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Jermell "Iron Man" Charlo pay-per-view bout on 30 September, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Coming into the fight, Barrios was deemed by a wide consensus as the (3-1) underdog due to being considered by the majority of the boxing world to still be untested in the welterweight division whereas his scheduled opposition, Ugás, was not only a very decorated amateur fighter, but also a long-time welterweight who had already faced and fought elites in the division such as Thomas "The Frenchman" Dulorme, Shawn "Showtime" Porter, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and Errol "The Truth" Spence Jr. just to name a few.

Much to the surprise of many, however, the odds were proven wrong on fight-night itself with Barrios battering and even dropping Ugás twice-- once in the second round and once again in the twelfth --en route to a unanimous decision victory over the Cuban with scores of 118-107 twice and 117-108 all in favor of Barrios. What's more, back in the 12th and final round of their fight, Ugas was deducted a point for intentionally spitting out his mouth piece-- which is illegal -- twice so that referee Thomas Taylor would pause the fight and buy him some time to recuperate.

And with the upset-win, Barrios became the WBC Interim Champion of the welterweight division. [13]

Barrios vs. Maidana

On the 4th of May, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Barrios would go on to make the first defense of his WBC (Interim) Welterweight Title against Argentina's own heavy-handed Fabian "TNT" Maidana. Their fight also served as the Co-Main event of the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs Jaime Munguia pay-per-view bout. [14] After dropping his opponent in the 3rd round, fighting through a swollen right eye, and hunting down a tentatively defense-minded Maidana in the later rounds, Barrios won the fight by way of unanimous decision (116-111x3). [15]

Professional boxing record

31 fights29 wins2 losses
By knockout181
By decision111
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
31Win29–2 Fabián Maidana UD12May 4, 2024T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC Interim welterweight title
30Win28–2 Yordenis Ugás UD12Sep 30, 2023 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBC Interim welterweight title
29Win27–2Jovanie SantiagoTKO8 (10), 1:42Feb 11, 2023Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title
28Loss26–2 Keith Thurman UD12Feb 5, 2022 Michelob Ultra Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Loss26–1 Gervonta Davis TKO11 (12), 2:13Jun 26, 2021 State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.Lost WBA (Regular) super lightweight title
26Win26–0Ryan KarlTKO6 (12), 2:23Oct 31, 2020 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.Retained WBA (Regular) super lightweight title
25Win25–0 Batyr Akhmedov UD12 Sep 28, 2019 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Won vacant WBA (Regular) super lightweight title
24Win24–0Juan Jose VelascoKO2 (10), 1:16May 11, 2019 EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Virginia, U.S.
23Win23–0Richard ZamoraKO4 (10), 2:16Feb 9, 2019 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
22Win22–0Jose RomanRTD8 (10), 3:00Jul 28, 2018 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental welterweight title
21Win21–0Eudy BernardoTKO2 (10), 0:45Mar 10, 2018 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
20Win20–0Naim NelsonTKO7 (10), 1:41Sep 19, 2017 Wind Creek Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
19Win19–0Jose Luis RodriguezKO7 (10), 0:37Jun 11, 2017Pioneer Event Center, Lancaster, California, U.S.
18Win18–0Yardley Armenta CruzTKO6 (8), 0:25Mar 4, 2017Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win17–0Claudio Rosendo TapiaKO2 (8), 2:36Dec 10, 2016Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Devis BoschieroUD12Jul 9, 2016 CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win15–0Edgar GabejanUD8Apr 16, 2016 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
14Win14–0Manuel VidesKO6 (8), 0:31Dec 12, 2015 AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
13Win13–0Enrique TinocoUD8Nov 10, 2015Music Hall, Austin, Texas, U.S.
12Win12–0Eduardo RiveraKO1 (8), 2:04Sep 26, 2015 Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
11Win11–0Jose Cen TorresTKO4 (8), 2:10Sep 6, 2015 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
10Win10–0Jose Arturo EsquivelUD8Jul 18, 2015 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
9Win9–0Jose Del ValleKO6 (6), 1:02May 9, 2015 Payne Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.
8Win8–0Justin LopezTKO3 (6), 1:53Mar 7, 2015 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
7Win7–0Juan SandovalUD4Nov 20, 2014 Sportsmen's Lodge, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
6Win6–0Abraham RubioKO1 (4), 0:53Oct 8, 2014 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
5Win5–0Salvador PerezKO1 (4), 2:18Jul 25, 2014 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
4Win4–0Jaxel MarreroUD4May 10, 2014 Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Lyonell KellyUD4Mar 7, 2014 Pala Casino Resort and Spa, Pala, California, U.S.
2Win2–0Manuel RubalcavaUD4Feb 10, 2014Cowboys Dance Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
1Win1–0Rigoberto MorenoTKO1 (4), 1:39Nov 11, 2013Cowboys Dance Hall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.

Personal life

Mario's sister Selina Barrios is also a professional boxer. [16]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Mario Barrios". PBC Boxing. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Ratings". The Ring. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  3. ↑ Christ, Scott (2019-05-11). "Mario Barrios knocks out Juan Jose Velasco, calls for world title shot". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  4. ↑ "Mario Barrios Drops Akhmedov Twice, Wins Very Tough Decision". Boxingscene. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
  5. ↑ "Mario Barrios claims his biggest victory on the Spence-Porter undercard". The Ring. 2019-09-28. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  6. ↑ Christ, Scott (2019-09-28). "Mario Barrios wins questionable decision over Batyr Akhmedov". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  7. ↑ "Mario Barrios scores sixth-round knockout of Ryan Karl on Davis-Santa Cruz card". The Ring. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  8. ↑ Random Hits. "Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios - PPV Card Officially Announced". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  9. ↑ "Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios fight results: Live boxing updates, scorecard, start time, undercard". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  10. ↑ "Gervonta Davis drops Mario Barrios three times, scores 11th-round stoppage in Atlanta". The Ring. 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  11. ↑ Donovan, Jake (2022-01-19). "WBC President: Thurman-Barrios Is An Official Eliminator, Not Final". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  12. ↑ "Keith Thurman outclasses Mario Barrios in first bout since July 2019". The Ring. 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  13. ↑ "Showtime Boxing results, highlights: Mario Barrios batters Yordenis Ugas for interim welterweight title". CBSSports.com. 1 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (10 April 2024). "Mario Barrios vs Fabian Andres Maidana set for Canelo-Munguia PPV co-feature". FIGHTMAG.
  15. ↑ Iskenderov, Parviz (5 May 2024). "Mario Barrios drops Fabian Andres Maidana in third round en route to win by UD". FIGHTMAG.
  16. ↑ "Mario Barrios and The Fighting Mexican Tradition". Premier Boxing Champions. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Lucas Matthysse 		WBA Inter-Continental
welterweight champion
July 28, 2018 – February 2019
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Nursultan Zhangabayev
Vacant
Title last held by
Luke Santamaria 		WBC Continental Americas
welterweight champion
February 11, 2023 – September 30, 2023
Won interim world title		Vacant
Title next held by
Gor Yeritsyan
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Regis Prograis
as Champion 		WBA light-welterweight champion
Regular title
September 28, 2019 – June 26, 2021		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Robert Guerrero 		WBC welterweight champion
Interim title
September 30, 2023 – May 27, 2024
Promoted		Vacant
Preceded by
Terence Crawford
Status changed
 WBC welterweight champion
May 27, 2024 – present		Incumbent
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