"I'm focused, I'm ready, and this fight is personal to me," Ryan Garcia said in a WBC report on its official website, which was monitored in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Garcia and Barrios are scheduled to share the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on February 21. To kick off the fight, an official press conference was held, immediately revealing the heated atmosphere surrounding the fight.
From the first face-to-face session, the tension was palpable, with Garcia appearing aggressive, emotional, and confident that this fight would be a turning point in his life as a professional boxer.
The Californian boxer has spoken openly about his quest for redemption and his ambition to re-establish his place among the world's boxing elite.
The boxer nicknamed "King Ry" admitted that this fight had a strong emotional dimension, especially because of a number of external factors that influenced his preparation.
One factor Garcia highlighted was the presence of his former coach in the opposing corner. He said the situation posed a certain amount of pressure, but also served as an additional source of motivation.
"I'm not surprised, but it motivates me," Garcia said, hinting that the fight will be emotionally charged beyond the technical aspects in the ring.
Garcia will enter the ring with an impressive record of 24 wins and 2 losses, 20 of which have come by knockout . These statistics reflect the punching power and explosive fighting style that have been his trademark.
Meanwhile, world champion Mario Barrios took a much calmer approach to Garcia's challenge. The Texan, known for his disciplined and measured fighting style, remained unmoved by his opponent's verbal exchange.
"That's all just noise. I talk in the ring," Barrios said, insisting that his focus is entirely on preparation and performance during the fight.
