Mario Barrios Retains WBC Interim Title With Unanimous Decision Victory Fabian Andres Maidana

In the co-main event of the night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Mario Barrios put on a commanding performance, successfully defending his WBC interim welterweight title against Fabian Andres Maidana. The 28-year-old Barrios, who entered the ring with an impressive record and a reputation for his boxing skills, proved his mettle throughout 12 rounds, earning a unanimous decision victory with all three judges scoring the fight 116-111 in his favour.

Maidana, the younger brother of former two-division world champion Marcos Maidana, came into the fight to follow in his sibling's footsteps and capture a world title. However, Barrios had other plans. From the opening bell, the San Antonio native took control of the fight, utilizing his superior boxing ability and ring generalship to keep Maidana at bay.

The tide of the bout shifted in the third round when Barrios delivered a precisely timed right hand, sending Maidana sprawling to the canvas. The 31-year-old Argentinian managed to rise and continue, but the knockdown was a clear testament to Barrios' formidable power and precision.
As the fight progressed, Barrios continued to dominate, showcasing his impressive footwork and defensive skills while consistently landing clean shots on Maidana. Despite suffering significant swelling under his right eye, a testament to Maidana's determination and power, Barrios remained composed and stuck to his game plan.

To his credit, Maidana demonstrated the same tenacity and resilience that endeared his brother to boxing fans years earlier. He persisted in moving forward, seeking opportunities to land his own powerful shots and shift the momentum of the fight. However, Barrios' superior technical prowess and ring intelligence proved insurmountable for the Argentinian.

In the later rounds, Barrios further asserted his dominance, using his jab effectively to control the distance and set up his power shots. Maidana, visibly fatigued from the constant pressure and precise punches of his opponent, could not mount a sustained offensive effort.

As the final bell rang, there was little doubt in the minds of those watching that Barrios had done more than enough to secure the victory. The judges' scorecards confirmed what many had already suspected, with all three officials scoring the fight 116-111 in favour of the American.

Barrios' victory not only cements his status as a formidable contender in the welterweight division but also paves the way for his potential ascension to full champion status. With current WBC, WBA, and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford anticipated to relinquish his titles ahead of his upcoming bout against WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov, Barrios is strategically positioned to seize the highly sought-after WBC welterweight crown.