LOS ANGELES — Ryan Garcia believes Mario Barrios is damaged goods.

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) will find out firsthand if his proclamation is true when he takes on the WBC welterweight champion Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) in the main event of "The Ring: High Stakes" show February 21 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on DAZN PPV.

“I think he's getting a little worn down now. I think he's taken some good punches and a couple of too many good shots. He's slowed down a little bit,” Garcia said after a kickoff press conference. “He fights a certain way that's very generic, but he's very good at it. … For sure [I can knock him out]. I believe I have the fastest hands in boxing.”

Barrios is 3-2-2 over the last five years. The 30-year-old from San Antonio first suffered back-to-back losses against Gervonta Davis (TKO11) in 2021 and Keith Thurman (UD12) in 2022. Wins against Jovanie Santiago (TKO8), Yordenis Ugas (UD12) and Fabian Maidana (UD12) followed in 2023 and 2024. Along the way, Barrios picked up the WBC interim belt and was elevated to full beltholder once undisputed champion Terence Crawford left the division.

Barrios’ full title defense fights have featured back-to-back draws. Barrios traded knockdowns with Abel Ramos in a November 2024 split draw and fought to a majority draw against the then-46-year-old Manny Pacquiao in July. Many observers believed the Filipino legend, who was returning from a four-year retirement, did more than enough to muster the decision.

But by virtue of carrying a welterweight crown, Barrios became a desirable dance partner in Garcia’s quest to become a first-time champion.

“We're excited for this fight, and we want to put on a show. This is entertainment at the end of the day,” said Garcia, who’s coming off a knockdown and upset unanimous decision loss against Rolando Romero in May.

“[Barrios is not looking] really interested in this one. He doesn't really want this one. I do. That's what I saw. I had another offer at the time [the Barrios fight was presented] for more money, but I said, 'Nah, I'm cool.' I'm going for Mario.”