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RYAN GARCIA GETS TITLE SHOT DESPITE LOSSES ON FEBRUARY 21

Ryan Garcia will challenge Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title on Feb 21. The controversial title shot comes after Garcia's loss and a year-long suspension, sparking merit debates.

Ryan Garcia Gets Title Shot Despite Losses On February 21
Date Confirmed, Garcia V Barrios WBC Title Fight

Mario Barrios is set to face Ryan Garcia! He has confirmed that he will take on the WBC welterweight champion on February 21. This matchup is shaping up to be an exciting fight in the 147-pound division.

However, it's hard to see how this title opportunity is justified.

An Unmerited Title Chance  


Garcia announced via social media that he will be fighting Mario Barrios for the WBC championship belt on February 21.

To clarify, we have a boxer who recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Rolando "Rolly" Romero and is making his return after a year-long suspension. This is somehow enough to put him back in contention for a world championship.

In contrast, Conor Benn is waiting in the wings after his win against Chris Eubank Jr., a middleweight. Benn may actually be more deserving of this shot than Garcia.

Yet, Garcia is receiving preferential treatment due to his popularity and financial value in the sport. This is what makes the politics of boxing so frustrating.

Discussions Were Already Progressing  


Bob Santos, Barrios' trainer, recently mentioned to WBN that discussions were "progressing," suggesting that both parties were preparing to fight.

The bout is officially scheduled for February 21, with Golden Boy Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions now focused on finalising the venue and broadcast arrangements.

Nevertheless, this does not change the fact that, from a sporting viewpoint, this title opportunity feels unjustified.

The stakes: a lost opportunity or a chance for redemption?  

Garcia's recent performances have been inconsistent: 

His initial professional loss was to Gervonta Davis.  

He scored a knockout against Oscar Jurado.  

Following a defeat to Rolando "Rolly" Romero, any momentum he had built was halted by a second consecutive loss.  

A One-Year Suspension: A significant interruption in a career characterised by ups and downs.
  
Fans aren't anticipating a fair title run, even if he manages to win against Barrios. Barrios has little room for error since he recently came off a contentious draw with Manny Pacquiao.

While the fight has high visibility, it appears to prioritise marketing and entertainment over the sport itself.

What is Next? Fans can look forward to the fight on February 21, as contracts are reportedly nearing completion and the date has been confirmed. However, we must differentiate between fairness and showmanship.

From a purely boxing merit standpoint, this matchup is contentious, yet it could boost clicks and ticket sales.

This is the state of boxing in 2026: Ryan Garcia epitomises how the quickest route to a title is often not the most equitable.

THE EIGHT-FIGURE GAMBLE: CONOR BENN SIGNS A MASSIVE ONE-FIGHT DEAL WITH ZUFFA BOXING

Conor Benn joins Zuffa Boxing! Discover why he left Eddie Hearn, the details of his 8-figure deal, and Dana White's global plans.

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Conor Benn officially joins Zuffa Boxing after a decade with Eddie Hearn

Zuffa Boxing just landed one of the top welterweights out there, Conor Benn. The up-and-coming promotion announced Benn’s signing, adding even more star power to its growing roster.

Benn, 29, is riding high after a huge win over Chris Eubank Jr last November, finally getting his revenge after Eubank handed him his first-ever loss just seven months before. Right now, Benn stands at 24-1, with 14 knockouts. He’s held the WBA Continental Europe Welterweight title, too. There’s no date or opponent set for his Zuffa debut yet, but this is a big move for Dana White and his crew, who are serious about building a roster packed with champions and big names.

“I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,” Benn said in a press release. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”

Dana White is just as fired up. “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” he said. “He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out. He’s ready for a world title next, and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing. He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.”

Sports Illustrated reports that Benn’s contract is a one-fight, eight-figure deal, though neither White nor Benn has confirmed that.

This move also heats the ongoing rivalry between Dana White and Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn. Benn had been with Hearn ever since he turned pro in 2016, but now he’s switched sides. Earlier this year, White and his team also grabbed IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, another former Hearn fighter.

Lately, Hearn and White have been trading shots in the media, which is wild considering they used to get along before White jumped into boxing. With two big signings already in the bag, Zuffa is out to prove it means business. And you just know they’re not stopping here.

CRIS CYBORG EYES HISTORY: MMA LEGEND SET FOR WIBA WORLD TITLE BOXING MATCH ON MARCH 28

Cris Cyborg makes history! Discover how she plans to hold MMA and boxing world titles simultaneously on March 28 in Brazil.

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Cris Cyborg confirms 2026 will be her final year in professional fighting

Cris Cyborg is about to chase a slice of history on March 28.

Since leaving the UFC back in 2019, the former featherweight champ hasn’t slowed down one bit. She grabbed the Bellator 145-pound title, then picked up another belt in the Professional Fighters League. It’s like every time she shows up somewhere new, she leaves with gold.

Now, in 2026, Cyborg says she’s on her retirement tour. But she’s not just coasting to the finish line; she’s still looking to add something big to her legacy. This time, she’s stepping into a boxing ring, not an MMA cage.

It’s been a while since Cyborg lost a fight. That was back at UFC 232 against Amanda Nunes. Since then? She’s rattled off nine straight wins in MMA, but that’s only half the story. She started boxing in 2022, and she hasn’t lost there either: seven wins, no defeats.

On March 28, Cyborg gets her biggest boxing test yet. She’ll fight Paulina Cardona for the WIBA super welterweight belt. Winning would make her the first fighter ever to hold world titles in both MMA and boxing at the same time. Big names like Amanda Serrano and Holly Holm have held this belt before, so it’s not just any title.

Journalist James Lynch broke the news online and pointed out just how rare this accomplishment would be. If Cyborg pulls it off, she’ll stamp her name in the record books, plain and simple.

Let’s talk about her opponent. Cardona’s been in the ring a lot – 68 pro fights, to be exact – but her record isn’t exactly stellar. She’s 27-34-7, has been knocked out 15 times, and has only managed two wins in her last 14 outings. So, yeah, Cyborg’s the clear favourite here, and people are already raising eyebrows about the level of competition she’s been facing in boxing.

Still, history’s on the line in Curitiba, Brazil. All eyes are on Cyborg to see if she can pull off something no one else has done before. 

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