Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios fight predictions, odds and picks for welterweight title bout in Las Vegas
CBSN
The former champion is back in action looking to earn another title on Saturday night
Although Ryan Garcia has tried his best throughout the build to their WBC welterweight title clash to frame his former trainer's hiring by opponent Mario Barrios as an act of treason, Joe Goossen's presence is likely to play a key role in the result of Saturday's pay-per-view headliner.
Goossen, the 72-year-old broadcaster and Hall-of-Fame trainer, has had a relationship with Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) dating back to his amateur days and worked his corner as head trainer for three consecutive fights, culminating in a 2023 PPV knockout loss to Gervonta "Tank" Davis.
Despite the fact that Garcia and Goossen parted ways on good terms (amid industry rumors that questioned Garcia's work ethic and suggested he never truly bought in to Goossen's teachings), Garcia used the storyline to create a circus of their introductory press conference in January to announce this weekend's fight (DAZN PPV, 7:55 p.m. ET) inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Not only did the 27-year-old Garcia, a native of Victorville, California, join his father/trainer Henry in attempting to create a soap opera by feigning heartbreak over Goossen's decision, the younger Garcia also presented a t-shirt with Goossen's name on the front and the word "traitor" on the back and threw it at his former coach.
When asked by CBS Sports on Tuesday whether he was truly emotional over the situation or whether this was yet another attempt by the enigmatic Garcia to stir the pot and play mental games with his opponent, "King Ryan" shared a sly smile.
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