Garcia Slammed Over Barrios Preparation – ‘He’s Never Been A World Champion’
Ryan Garcia‘s preparation for his bout against WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios on February 21, 2026 has been slammed.
Despite “King Ry” signing the contract on Instagram Live back in November, many insiders are questioning his focus. Trainer Greg Hackett noted that Garcia appears more engaged with “outside-of-boxing” interests. Ryan has been seen regularly with streamers, such as Neon, sharing clips of him training at home rather than in the gym.
This perceived lack of discipline follows a poor 2025 where Garcia lost to Rolando Romero in his welterweight debut. This was after serving a year ban following his no-contest against Devin Haney, as he failed a VADA test for Ostarine. While doubts swirl around Garcia, the champion is leaving nothing to chance.
Mario Barrios has recruited Joe Goossen—the man who previously trained Garcia. Barrios (29-2-2) is looking for his first win since 2024 after fighting to back-to-back draws against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao. With Garcia’s career at a crossroads and a mandatory challenger in Conor Benn already waiting for the winner, the February 21 clash in Las Vegas is a make-or-break moment.
Hackett Reacts
“It’s hard to take Ryan serious right now. He does a lot of other things outside of boxing. If you’re going to be a fighter, get ready. It’s hard to talk about it [Garcia vs. Barrios fight] when he’s on late night with streamers. Yeah, that’s around the corner. This fight, he should be focused because if he wins, he’ll be champion at 147. He needs something like that. He’s never been a world champion.
“I think he’s hung up on the entertainment aspect of it. I guess he’s reached a point where it’s hard to tell him stuff because he’s made so much money. He is a superstar when it comes to boxing. So, I guess he figures he made it. In boxing, if you lose, they write you off. But a kid like him, they keep giving him chances, because all he’s got to do is comb his hair to the side, clean his face up, and he looks like an innocent kid again,” Hackett said
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