Junior welterweight world title contender Mario Barrios is aiming for a title shot soon.
As Barrios is preparing for his next fight, set to take place on Showtime-televised card from Carson, California on February 9, he opens up about his plans to fight in a world title bout soon. The 23-year-old Barrios said he's happy making weight at 140 pounds, but knows there will come a time when he may be too big to fight in the division and wants to take advantage of his time as a junior welterweight while he can.
"In the next 18 months, I’ll hopefully get a shot at a world title. I want to face any one of the champions right now. I feel I’m ready. I’ve worked my ass off to get to this point and I feel it’s only a matter of time before we get that title shot. Right now, my sight is set on the junior welterweight division and we’re going to try to take over the division as much as I can. But at the same time, I’m 6’1” and it’s only a matter of time before I outgrow the division but as long as I’m here and I can make the weight healthy and I feel strong, we’re going to continue to dominate," Barrios said.
Having fought professionally since 2013, the undefeated Barrios has ascended all the way to the top of the WBA 140-pound rankings where champion Kiryl Relikh is currently competing in the World Boxing Super Series. Barrios is also ranked No. 10 by the WBO where Maurice Hooker stands as the organization's junior welterweight champion.
Barrios is scheduled to fight Richard Zamora in a 10-round bout in the co-main event to the Gervonta Davis vs. Hugo Ruiz bout for the WBA super featherweight title.
