LOS ANGELES — Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia met face to face for the first time Thursday to kickoff the promotional tour for "The Ring: High Stakes" show they're headlining February 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on DAZN PPV.

Garcia is trying to become a world champion for the first time in his 10-year career by snatching Barrios' WBC welterweight belt.

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) was surprisingly ranked by the sanctioning body recently despite losing in his division debut against Rolando Romero in May.

To mark the momentous occasion in challenging for a title, Garcia had a trio of ladies draped in green and gold step on the stage and separately strut the letters W-B-C.

"I got to thank the WBC. I can't thank you enough. I love the WBC, like you have no idea how much I love the WBC," said Garcia.

“I gotta go grab that title. I’m hungry, I’m excited, and I’m ready to put on a show. For me, it’s all a show. I want to put on the best show possible, and you guys are going to get a great fight.”

Garcia's histrionics continued when he pulled a shirt out of his backpack for former coach Joe Goossen, who's now training Barrios, that read "I'M A TRAITOR."

Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs), meanwhile, sat on the dais unfazed.

“He's definitely a character and has the personality of an influencer, but he's still a dangerous fighter," Barrios said afterward. "I'm getting ready for a Ryan that we know and think is going to be a 100 percent.

"Regardless of all the bull---- he has going on, he's still one of the biggest names in the sport, and I want to bring the biggest fights to the fans. He's saying he's 100 percent ready, and that's exactly what we want."

Garcia and Barrios are both coming into the clash following a recent run of uneven fights.

Barrios has fought to two consecutive draws against the then 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao in July, and Abel Ramos, who traded knockdowns with Barrios, in November 2024. The performances have left many to believe that Barrios is boxing’s most beatable champion.

Before getting dropped against Rolando Romero en route to losing a unanimous decision, Garcia's three knockdown, majority decision win against Devin Haney in April 2024 was ruled a No Contest after he tested positive for the performance enhancing drug Ostarine.

Barrios said he has been drilling to prepare for Garcia's lethal left hook.

"Distance and timing is going to be the key, and using my physical attributes and boxing skills," said Barrios. "It's an advantage having Joe Goossen, but we can just look at his last couple of performances and pick up his bad habits, what he does well and what he does poorly.”

While Garcia rolled around with a large posse before and after the presser, Barrios quietly went about his business throughout the day.

"I have been doing this for a long time, and I love it,” said Barrios. “I stay motivated and in the gym. I stay working. I've never been a talker. I just work."