Mario Barrios/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions
Mario Barrios has come a long way in a short time. At age 21 and just 2 1/2 years into his pro career, he is 15-0 with eight knockouts and ranked as high as No. 12 by one governing body.
Barrios on July 9 will take on Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) of Italy in the super featherweight main event at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. (on ESPN).
Boschiero is ranked No. 8 in the same poll that ranks Barrios.
“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for, to be fighting in main events on national television,” said Barrios, of San Antonio. “I’m confident that I’ll be able to the full 12 rounds if need be. My goal is to get the knockout, though. I really want to make a statement in this fight.”
(Barrios has never been scheduled for more than eight rounds.)
Considering the division in which Barrios toils, he needs to make a statement every time out because it is brimming with ferocious talent. Barrios gets that.