Mario Barrios: Believe in “El Azteca”
It all starts with ambition, followed by momentum built from attrition. And as for Mario Barrios, he always believed that he was more than just a boxer, more than just a survivor turned provider. And all it takes is one night for the cosmic vision to unfold. Intuition for superstardom is what he sees, and when Barrios faces Gervonta Davis, it’s all within arms reach.
Known as “El Azteca,” Mario always believed that with patience and composure, the best always happens. And as Barrios was waiting in the wings for his next move with the thought of contemplating a weight class bump, the name “Tank” arrived at his doorsteps.
Aside from Gervonta “Tank” Davis being renowned as a bona fide colossal force inside and outside the squared circle, his name brought a familiar ring in Mario’s head from his amateur days over a decade ago.
While both combatants were fighting for validation in their early teens, Tank’s name demanded the hype prior to ever stepping into the ring as a professional. And although both men never crossed paths at the early stages of their glory hunt, Barrios knew that an inevitable clash was on the horizon…
The self-assured brawler(Barrios) always believed that his breakout moment was written in his fate. And with “El Azteca” turning 26-years-old this month, his tally of candles now matches his victories. 26 years, 26 wins, and no losses to up the stakes.
Although the public might still be unfamiliar with “El Azteca,” with almost no one giving him a shot at dethroning Davis, it would be foolish to count out the underdog. Not only will Barrios have the luxury of a massive size advantage, but Mario’s style of fighting fire with fire might very well be the antidote for Tank’s reign.
“I Wasn’t really on board with the fight. It’s a dangerous fight. Let’s call it what it is. Mario Barrios is no joke.” Leonard Ellerbe(Davis’s promoter/advisor) expressed his concerns when asked about Tank’s ten-pound leap.
When Barrios made his professional debut at 18, he competed at only 122 pounds. But his growth, literally and figuratively, ascended him to a new division(140lbs) and a championship around his waist as leverage to his claim for supremacy.
Alongside Mario’s weight rise, a crippling one-punch power was shown on full display. And since his move to 140 pounds, the San Antonio-born managed to secure knockouts in 9 of his 10 fights in the super lightweight division. That being said, unquestionably, Tank’s power is something to behold, but so is El Azteca’s.
Thudding momentum is what propelled both undefeated champions to this moment. And Barrios didn’t stumble on this colossal opportunity. The stage was earned, and Hallows Eve is where the final deal was sealed, with blood.
Holloween night wouldn’t be fitting without a bloody theme; Courtesy of Mario’s onslaught of attack that resulted in piles of plasma donated from Ryan Karl on Gervonta Davis’s last undercard. Coincidence? Barrios thinks not.
“I believe they made a mistake with me. Tank is jumping up two weight classes, and this won’t be an easy fight for him, and he’s gonna find out on June 26 what it feels like to be in the ring with “El Azteca.” Barrios said when asked about fighting Davis.
On June 26, Mario Barrios will make the walk under the brightest lights, cool as ice, willing to throw the dice for a chance to double down on a childhood epiphany that would throw a twist of fate to the entire sport. He saw it all along, but will he turn it into fruition? Or will Gervonta’s left-hand Venum turn it all into a mirage? Well, rather than ponder on the questions, Atlanta, Georgia, is where we shall find the answers.
Barrios vs Davis: Live this Saturday on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
Written by: Tarek Alsabbagh/ Lightkeeper Promotions
