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Mario Barrios looking to get in world title mix with victory over Jovanie Santiago on February 11

Mario Barrios. Photo credit: Jarryd Duarte/Team Barrios

Mario Barrios 26-2 (17) will return to the ring for the first time in more than a year when he faces Puerto Rico’s Jovanie ‘El Lobito’ Santiago 14-2-1 (10) over 10 rounds at the Alamodome in his native San Antonio, Texas on February 11.

It will be the first time the 27-year-old has entered the ring since his unanimous decision loss to Keith Thurman 30-1 (22) last year.

Following the loss, Barrios reunited with former trainer Bob Santos, who has recently trained Hector Luis Garcia and Alberto Puello to world titles.

“I have relocated my training camp to Las Vegas, Nevada and am back working with Bob Santos,” Barrios said. “It’s been a change of pace and coming off a bit of a lay-off after some really big fights, it’s been refreshing resting my mind and body after two hard camps back-to-back.

“The change is one I think that’s going to elevate my career these next few years, because I’ll be training in the fight capital of the world.

“I think a lot of fighters lose motivation once they have fought on pay-per-view, but being around so many fighters who are in their prime at the Pound4pound boxing gym out here has been pushing me every day.

“I am thrilled with how the camp has gone and I think people will see everything I’ve been working on come fight night. I also have my sister Selina working in my corner as well. We started this sport together and I’m thankful to still have her input in the corner. Everything has been great leading up to this fight.”

Santiago, 33, is coming off back-to-back losses just like Barrios, who was stopped in the 11th round of his bout against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 28-0 (26) in June 2021. Santiago’s losses came to Adrien Broner 34-4-1 (24) and southpaw Gary Antuanne Russell 16-0 (16), the former on points and the later via sixth-round stoppage.

“I think he’s a quality fighter,” Barrios said of Santiago. “He had a close fight with Adrien Broner that many say he should have won. I thought he struggled with Gary Antuanne Russell, but Gary is a great fighter.

“I personally think Santiago is a guy that if you take him lightly, he can make you look bad. In no way am I intending to disrespect him, but I am going to show why I have been featured on two pay-per-view main events and am a former world champion.

“This fight is about me ending this lay off and proving that I am at a different level and a threat in this division. I think you will see a clear separation between us in this bout.

“A win puts me in the position I want to be in, which is competing for a world title. A lot of titles have become vacant as of late and I think with a strong showing I could get in the mix with any of the world champions in the division.

“My goal right now is to become a two-time world champion and that is what I am set on doing. A win essentially gives me that next step to get close to a title eliminator or the bigger names in the welterweight division. I want to perform in a way that makes my city and my team proud and continues to make the networks want to see me in bigger fights.”

It will be the first time Barrios has boxed at the Alamodome since his thrilling sixth-round knockout of Ryan Karl 19-4 (12) in October 2020.

“I’m always excited to give my fans back home an entertaining fight,” Barrios said. “I love where I’m from and I’m always proud to step in the ring representing San Antonio. I’m very thankful for another opportunity to fight in front of the San Antonio fans. It’s going to be an explosive night of boxing and I’m promising an action-packed fight.”