Las Vegas — Ryan Garcia dropped Mario Barrios seconds into their fight and never let up, cruising to a unanimous decision victory to claim the WBC welterweight title on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

The judges scored it 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 in favor of Garcia, who improved to 25-2 with 20 knockouts. The Associated Press had the fight 119-109 for the 27-year-old from Victorville, California. Barrios fell to 29-3-2 with 18 knockouts.

Garcia wasted no time. A sharp left hook sent Barrios to the canvas just 12 seconds in. He rose quickly, but Garcia pressed forward with crisp combinations that kept the San Antonio fighter on the defensive throughout 12 rounds.

Staying patient after the early knockdown, Garcia mixed aggression with smart defense. He grew more measured in the championship rounds, protecting a substantial lead on the cards. Barrios landed occasional counters but couldn’t mount a serious comeback.

“It feels good to finally be a world champion,” Garcia said after the win. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was seven years old.”

Already plotting his next move, Garcia called out WBO super lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. “I want him next,” the new titlist declared, signaling big plans ahead in the divisions.

For Barrios, the loss marked his second straight underwhelming performance. He escaped with a majority draw against Manny Pacquiao in July, a result many viewed as fortunate. This defeat leaves his future uncertain after holding the WBC belt since June 2024.

Garcia’s triumph caps a roller-coaster year. He served a suspension earlier in 2025 for missing weight and faced fines plus other controversies surrounding his high-profile career. The victory provides a clean reset, positioning him as a force at 147 pounds.

In the co-main event, Gary Antuanne Russell defended his interim WBC super lightweight title with a decision win over Andy Hiraoka. Russell stayed undefeated, extending his record while handing the Japanese contender his first professional loss.

The card drew a lively crowd to Las Vegas, highlighting Garcia’s pulling power despite his recent troubles. Promoters praised the electric atmosphere, with fights delivering action from the opening bell.

Garcia now holds one of boxing’s marquee belts. His blend of speed, power and showmanship has fans buzzing about potential superfights. Stevenson, a slick technician with an unblemished record, represents a stiff test if the matchup materializes.

Barrios, meanwhile, must regroup. At 30, he showed resilience but lacked the firepower to overcome Garcia’s early dominance. His team hinted at a rematch clause, though Garcia’s gaze has already shifted forward.

Boxing’s welterweight division heats up with this shift. Garcia joins a crowded field of contenders eyeing unification bouts. Expect his camp to push hard for Stevenson or another big name in the coming months.