The San Antonio fighter is set to defend WBC title on controversial Tyson-Paul undercard.
It’s been derisively labeled by many as more freak show than legitimate fight, more carnival act than meaningful event, created as nothing more than a money grab by greedy promoters. There’s probably some truth to that.
After all, it is boxing. The main attraction on Friday’s Netflix pro boxing card at AT&T Stadium in Arlington features 58-year-old Mike Tyson, a terror in the ring vs. 27-year-old Jake Paul, a social media star who turned to boxing after becoming a sensation on YouTube. Is it sport, or is it spectacle? Real or fixed? San Antonio welterweight Mario Barrios, like a lot of people, isn’t sure. The “fight” will be limited to a maximum of eight rounds, with each round lasting two minutes instead of three. Both fighters will wear oversized gloves for safety in a nod to Tyson’s age and health. “I don’t know what to make of it, to be honest with you,” said Barrios, whose attention will be elsewhere Friday night. “I try not to get caught up in all the hype.” Barrios is instead focused on his bout against Abel Ramos in the co-main event at AT&T Stadium in a matchup of Mexican-American fighters. There is no controversy here. For Barrios, 29, it represents the first defense of his full WBC welterweight title against the WBC interim champ. Barrios says he has something to prove. After claiming the interim belt a year ago by beating Yordenis Ugas in his biggest victory to date, Barrios was elevated to full champion when the WBC designated Terence Crawford “champion in recess.” He hopes to live up to the ranking versus Ramos. “As a fighter you don’t dream of winning a title that way,” Barrios said. “You want to win it in the ring. But I put myself in position . Now it’s up to me to go out there and defend my title .” After beating Ugas for the interim title, Barrios came back seven months later to win a unanimous decision over Fabian Maidana. Overall, Barrios has won three straight since losses to Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman. Barrios expected to be fighting Manny Pacquiao, not Ramos. But months-long negotiations fell through, negotiations complicated by Pacquaio’s looming Senate campaign in his native Philippines. “It was exciting just to think I’d be considered as an opponent for him,” Barrios said. “But things like this happen in boxing. If we take care of business and his name comes back around, I would love to fight him. He’s a legend.” Instead, Barrios gets the 33-year-old Ramos, considered a durable fighter who has been competitive in fights vs. the elites of the 147-pound division, just not victorious. Three of his losses, to Jamal James, Ugas and Cody Crowley, came by spit or majority decision. “Those fights could have gone either way,” Barrios said. “He’s been in there with some of the top talent of the division. This may be his last opportunity for a title. So I expect to see the best of him Friday night.” Ramos has never been knocked out. “It’s a dream that I had since I was a kid to become a world champion,” the Arizona fighter said. “I’m taking this fight serious. I know Barrios is a great champion, but we’re here to make that little kid’s dream a reality.” As an added attraction, the card is scheduled to be live-streamed on Netflix, which is making its first foray into the sport. Instead of the regular pay-per-view format, Netflix is making the card available to all of its 282 million subscribers. “This is a new frontier for Netflix and I’m just happy for the opportunity to be a part of it,” Barrios said. As for the Tyson-Paul “fight,” Barrios said he will be paying attention. “I’m all for a legend continuing to be able to make money in the sport,” Barrios said. “I’m on Team Tyson for this one.” Cardenas headlines card Nov. 23 at Alzafar Undefeated San Antonio light flyweight David Cardenas heads a 10-bout Triple A Promotions and South Park Boxing Academy pro card Nov. 23 at the Alzafar Shrine Auditorium. Cardenas is scheduled to meet Robert Ledesma of San Antonio in a six-round bout. Oher local fighters scheduled to appear include Orlando “Tiger” Davila, Aseel Martinez and Ethan Lopez. The card, “Showdown at the Shrine,” will be streamed live on KSAT.com and KSAT+.
Mike Tyson WBC Senate Alzafar Undefeated Triple A Promotions South Park Boxing Academy Jake Paul David Cardenas Abel Ramos Tyson-Paul Gervonta Davis Manny Pacquiao Pacquaio Fabian Maidana Keith Thurman Terence Crawford Yordenis Ugas Orlando ``Tiger'' Davila Robert Ledesma Aseel Martinez Ethan Lopez Jamal James Cody Crowley Mario Barrios San Antonio Arlington T Stadium AT&Amp Mexican American Philippines Alzafar Shrine Auditorium Arizona Showdown At The Shrine Youtube KSAT.Com KSAT+
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