Mario Barrios: record, next fight and profile →
Mario Barrios has a lot of respect for Cuban welterweight Yordenis Ugas. But that admiration will end the moment he steps foot in the ring to face Ugas this coming Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, when the former champions collide for the interim-welterweight belt sanctioned by the World Boxing Council.
Hall of Fame boxing broadcaster Al Bernstein, who has announced over 150 major pay-per-view telecasts in his career, says the undercard for the upcoming Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo 168 pound title match is “perhaps the best of any I’ve done.”
Yordenis Ugas versus Mario Barrios is one of several intriguing fights on the Canelo Alvarez-Jermell Charlo undercard. The two former champions will square off in a welterweight showdown with the WBC interim title on the line.
Ugas, Barrios Media Workouts Photos Gallery - Former world champions Yordenis Ugas and Mario “El Azteca” Barrios showed off their skills and previewed their upcoming showdown for the Interim WBC Welterweight Title during a media workout in Las Vegas Tuesday before they meet on the Canelo vs. Charlo SHOWTIME PPV undercard on Saturday, September 30 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Promotions will present the Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view. (photos by Ryan Hafey)
Mario Barrios arrived in Las Vegas about four months ago thinking he would fight sooner than September 30 and against an opponent other than Yordenis Ugas. The WBC ordered a bout between Barrios and Ugas in mid-March for its interim welterweight title. Soon thereafter, though, it looked like Ugas would square off with Keith Thurman, a fellow former 147-pound champion who has long been inactive.
It was a feel-good story but one that many didn’t believe would end well for Yordenis Ugas. The Cuban native was going about his business and preparing to defend his WBA welterweight title in what appeared to be a tune-up fight against Fabian Maidana in 2021. But, out of nowhere, Manny Pacquiao gave him a call with an opportunity of a lifetime.
Yordenis Ugas thought for multiple months earlier this year that he would fight Keith Thurman next. The WBC ordered a bout between Ugas and Mario Barrios in mid-March for its interim welterweight title. His handlers later assured Ugas, though, that he would meet Thurman in what would’ve been a pairing of former 147-pound champions.
Former welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas sent Manny Pacquiao into retirement with a career-defining win in 2021 and leveraged the opportunity into a title-unification shot against Errol Spence Jr. in his last fight.
When it comes to facing the best of the best, Mario Barrios is always willing to do just that. During his 140-pound title reign, the secondary belt holder had no problem with taking on Gervonta Davis. Although he sauntered into their 2021 matchup as an underdog, Barrios fought well before losing via 11th-round stoppage.
Former welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas has not lost the hunger of the early days. The Cuban veteran affirms that the desire to touch the boxing sky remains intact, but that the responsibility to do it again is greater due to the manner in which he is viewed within the Cuban community.