At one level, the profession of Mario Barrios shone incandescently. However after openly trying to show again the problem of Gervonta Davis in 2021, the 27-year-old was compelled to hit the reset button. Though he skilled a great deal of success at 140 kilos, the San Antonio native believed {that a} transfer up in weight would afford his physique a reprieve.
In his first journey to the land of the welterweights, Barrios (27-2, 18 KOs) opted in opposition to taking up a delicate contact and would transfer straight right into a title eliminator in opposition to Keith Thurman. Valorous in his effort, Barrios got here up woefully brief, dropping through lopsided choice.
Contemplating his current stretch of dangerous luck, Barrios believed that reuniting together with his former coach, Bob Santos, would supply him with the type of jolt that his profession desperately wanted. To date, their pairing has led to spectacular outcomes as Barrios punished Jovanie Santiago final month, stopping his man within the eighth spherical.
Santos, beaming with delight, now feels that his fighter will not be solely again on monitor however extra importantly, is able to tackle the welterweight divisions finest.
“Mario Barrios is a tremendously proficient fighter,” stated Santos to 210 Boxing TV. “He’s one of many largest punchers in boxing, he’s an unbelievable fighter. I believe he put himself in a fantastic alternative to struggle for a world championship or one of many huge names. I believe he’s beginning to discover himself. Mario confirmed that he’s at that elite degree and he deserves one other alternative.”
Together with his explosive victory, Santos is satisfied that the 147-pound panorama is lined up completely for numerous high-level fights. In fact, the very high of the division is experiencing considerably of a logjam.
Errol Spence Jr., the present unified champion, is ostensibly on the verge of taking up Keith Thurman. Terence Crawford, the division’s WBO belt holder, might be searching for a dance companion following his KO win over David Avanesyan. Whereas Santos would welcome showdowns in opposition to each males, the world-renowned coach has a robust hunch {that a} matchup in opposition to a sure hard-hitting up-and-comer might result in a fan-friendly bout.
“He can struggle a Crawford, he can struggle a Spence, he can struggle any of those guys. He can struggle Boots Ennis. Vergil Ortiz can be a fantastic struggle. It might be large, that’d be a mega struggle.”
Ortiz, 25, is a bit preoccupied in the meanwhile. The Texas native is ready to problem for his first world title when he takes on WBA “Common” champion, Eimantas Stanionis on April twenty ninth.
No matter whom Barrios finally faces, Santos has a sense that in some unspecified time in the future, his fighter will reign supreme as a trinket holder within the welterweight division.
“I absolutely anticipate him to win a world title at 147 kilos.”