RYAN GARCIA completed his life and career turnaround by dominating Mario Barrios to become world champion.
Less than two years after checking himself into rehab amid a battle with his mental health, Garcia was crowned with the WBC welterweight title.
He dropped Barrios 30 SECONDS into the bout and cruised to victory from there on out.
Garcia celebrated with his dad and coach Henry, who helped bring his son back from the brink, after a unanimous verdict was read out by legendary MC Michael Buffer.
Garcia came out swinging in the opening seconds, nailing Barrios with relentless right hands.
A right hook over the top of the guard floored Barrios – threatening to end the fight before it got started.
But Barrios did make it to his feet as Garcia took his foot off the peddle – choosing to control the action for three rounds on the outside.
He upped his product in round four, buzzing Barrios with a couple of signature left hooks.
The champ was in further trouble in the fifth as Garcia unleashed relentless combinations, his hand speed too much to cope with.
A right hand in round six snapped Barrios’ head back – leaving him grimacing but somehow standing.
Going into the seventh and it seemed like only a matter of time until Garcia forced the stoppage.
But again he shifted into neutral for three rounds and allowed Barrios the time to clear his head and recover.
Garcia did kick into gear in the tenth, forcing Barrios back with a combination of straight punches down the pipe.
But he accepted the rugged champ was not going anywhere and settled for victory on the scorecards with a cautious display in the final two rounds.
Scores of 119-108, 120-107 and 118-109 saw Garcia take a near shutout on the cards with the famous green and gold belt wrapped around his waist.
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