Mario Barrios: record, next fight and profile →
BoxingScene.com has learned that it’ll cost consumers $74.95 to purchase PBC’s FOX Sports Pay-Per-View show February 5. Former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Keith Thurman and ex-WBA super lightweight champ Mario Barrios are scheduled to square off in the 12-round main event of that show at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Mario Barrios fit all the criteria that Keith Thurman wanted in an opponent for his ring return. The former welterweight titleholder from Clearwater, Florida will look to break a more than two-and-a-half sabbatical from boxing, when he makes his return against San Antonio's Barrios on Feb. 5 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. Thurman, 33, has not fought since dropping a close decision to Manny Pacquiao in 2019.
Keith Thurman has a passionate pitch for those criticizing the fact that his next bout will be staged on pay-per-view. The former welterweight titleholder will break a two-and-a-half year sabbatical from the ring when he faces Mario Barrios on Fox Pay-Per-View on Feb. 5 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Mario Barrios obviously could’ve chosen an easier transition into the welterweight division than Keith Thurman. Coming off an 11th-round, technical-knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in his final fight at the 140-pound limit, Barrios would’ve been well within reason to face a lesser opponent
The last time Keith Thurman ended a long layoff, he got buzzed by a huge underdog and settled for a majority-decision win in a 12-round fight that was more difficult than expected.
Keith Thurman isn’t fazed by the critics who think his drive isn’t what it used to be. Over the past few years the former welterweight titleholder from Clearwater, Florida has battled the perception that he is not as devoted to boxing as people have come to expect from a world class fighter.
Mario Barrios knew even before his last fight that a move to welterweight was already in play. In fact, it might have already taken place if not for a lucrative showdown with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis prompting the former WBA junior welterweight titlist to stay put for one more fight. Instead, the move comes in a dangerous showdown with former unified welterweight titlist Keith Thurman (29-1, 22KOs; 1ND) atop a February 5 Fox Sports Pay-Per-View event from Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman is finally ready to snap a 29-month layoff from the sport. Thurman has been out of the ring since suffering the first defeat of his career, when he lost a twelve round split decision to Manny Pacquiao in July of 2019.
Keith Thurman is not only eager to resume his career but also return to an activity rate that preceded his lengthy title run. The former unified welterweight titlist is set to end a career-long layoff with a showdown versus former secondary junior welterweight titlist Mario Barrios. The bout tops a February 5 Fox Sports Pay-Per-View telecast from Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, the same town that hosted Thurman’s last fight more than two years ago.
Keith Thurman has seen far scarier things in his life than Terence Crawford’s stoppage of Shawn Porter. The former welterweight titleholder from Clearwater, Florida is poised to break his cycle of inactivity by returning to the ring against Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) on Feb. 5 at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Fox Pay-Per-View. Thurman has not fought since his points loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2019.