Ryan Garcia is all set to clash against Mario Barrios on February 21 at the T-Mobile Arena. This time, the stakes are high as ‘King Ryan’ will be fighting for the welterweight belt. But even though the oddsmakers are giving Garcia a slight edge to take the victory home, his team looks to be prepared for the worst.

Garcia remained one of the top names in boxing, but his recent past has definitely raised some questions about his motivation to win fights despite being talented. Because of that, some have been backing Mario Barrios heading into this matchup. Now what happens if he loses? Well, Max Kellerman seems to already have an explanation ready, suggesting ‘King Ryan’ wasn’t fully serious since he wasn’t facing a big name like Shakur Stevenson.

Max Kellerman brings up Shakur Stevenson excuse ahead of Ryan Garcia’s next match

“I’m going by consistency, so we know what we get when he’s acting this way.” Gabe Rosado picked Barrios to win at The Ring Magazine’s YouTube channel. “So, that’s why I don’t feel comfortable going to this fight. I’m favoring him. Because I think that he’s a much better fighter. But when you go against a guy that is disciplined and has Gusen in his corner, I think you have to get a little more serious.”

“If he was fighting like Shakur or someone like that.” Max Kellerman answered at The Ring Magazine’s show, “You would think he’ll be a little more serious.”

Rosado’s claim clearly comes from Ryan Garcia’s history of not being fully focused before fights. Ahead of the Devin Haney bout, the Californian showed up with a beer and drank it while making weight. And although he delivered a masterful performance against Haney, Garcia was suspended for a year after testing positive for a banned substance.

However, when everyone thought he might finally settle down, ‘The Flash’ again showed signs of drinking and partying before the Rolly Romero fight, which eventually turned into another brutal loss. Now, as Garcia looks for redemption, critics may once again blame a defeat on focus issues, arguing that he failed to lock in because he was not facing a bigger name like Shakur Stevenson. Well, Max Kellerman has fueled that line of thinking, sounding at times more like the 27-year-old’s teammate than a broadcaster and already shaping the narrative if Garcia comes up short.

If that happens, fans will surely begin questioning the boxing star all over again ahead of future fights. Still, despite the many issues that have surrounded him, Ryan Garcia has offered a small glimmer of hope, seemingly believing that the fight against Barrios is a crucial matchup that could shape his legacy.

‘King Ryan’ is prepared to give it all against Barrios

Currently, the Californian boxer is definitely under pressure as he already has two losses in his career. To maintain that star persona, Ryan Garcia needs to go toe to toe with a dangerous Mario Barrios on February 21 and lift the championship. And despite people questioning his focus, ‘King Ryan’ seems well aware of the stakes as he is determined to stop that third loss from happening.

“You’re just a complete loser now,” he told DAZN. “You know what I mean? Like, two is like damn, but three is definitely a complete loser. I don’t like that third loss, so I’m giving everything I got.”

Now, when it comes to Ryan Garcia actually going all out, he is not just limiting the commitment to words. The challenger has been regularly uploading his training regimens, practicing that devastating left hook to destroy his opponent. But can he actually pull off the victory this time, or will he succumb to another loss? We will find that out this weekend.

That said, who are you picking on February 21? Garcia or Barrios? Let us know in the comments section below.