mario barrios There's a visible exodus of welterweights who have dominated the sport's glamor division for the past decade, and there's no way to pass up the opportunity right now.
“We knew a lot was going to move and open up at welterweight this year. We all wanted to fight for these titles, fight in eliminators, be the best and unify. “There are,” Barrios said. “I'm going to be in those fights.”
San Antonio's Barrios will begin his mission with the co-main event of the card, which will be headlined on May 4th. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez–Jaime Munguia The undisputed super middleweight title match took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Barrios (28-2, 18 KOs) faces Argentina Fabian Maidana (22-2, 16 KOs) Interim world title, which Barrios won with a two-time knockout of the former welterweight champion in September. Yordenis Ugas He won by unanimous decision with a score of 118-107.
Maidana, younger brother of former world champion Marcos Maidanapreviously suffered an eye injury that forced him to cancel his planned fight with Ugas, but he has won four straight since then.
“Of course I was angry about that little cut,” Maidana said. “Everything is happening as expected, and look at me now.”
surely.
Since then terrence crawford In late July, he dominated the former three-belt champion and was promoted to the undisputed welterweight champion. errol spence jr. The TKO victory made so many of the division's elites interested in moving on.
Crawford and Spence appear to be aiming to join former title holders in the junior middleweight division. Keith Thurman (defeated Barrios by unanimous decision in 2022) and Danny Garcia.
Jaron “Boots” Ennis is the new welterweight titleholder, and the May 4 pay-per-view portion of the card begins with a match in Lithuania. Eimantas Stanionis (14 wins, 0 losses, 9 KOs) Defends second belt against Venezuela Gabriel Maestre (6 wins, 0 losses, 1, 5 KOs).
Barrios – 28 years old, there was a lesson learned against Thurman, Ugas, and TKO loss in 2021 Gervonta Davis Behind him – says the coach Bob Santos I jokingly called him a “veteran.” But he's young and energized by rebuilding and reviving a department that has now lost its household name.
Former lightweight titleholder Barrios said this is a “huge” opportunity and is “very grateful, focused and humbled” to be co-main on the Cinco de Mayo card headlined by Alvarez. I'm feeling it,” he said.
In a conference call Thursday hosted by Premier Boxing Champions, Maidana said he was determined to make a name for himself despite his obvious connection to his brother. adrien broner His first defeat and gave floyd mayweather jr. The first of two matches.
“I've always carved my own path,” Maidana said. “I've never seen myself hiding behind anyone, and this will be my showcase on May 4th. …My brother is a great fighter. We will pave the way.”
Because of the family name, Maidana attracts the attention of barrios.
“I understand what kind of fighter he is,” Barrios said. “Expect a hard-fought fight and 12 brutal rounds.”
A victory would put Barrios in a position to replace Crawford as the WBC title holder due to Nebraska's expected move up in weight class, and Barrios said he would seek a unification fight with Stanionis if he wins against Maestre as expected.
Ennis is expected to announce who he will defend his title against in the coming weeks, and Barrios is also keeping an eye on it.
“The welterweight division is stacked,” he said. “The first thing I have to do is do my job properly. I've always had the toughest fight.”
