Mario Barrios in Play for Haney fight in Saudi Arabia

"El Azteca" Mario Barrios of San Antonio has headlined multiple PPV cards, building a reputation as one of boxing's most rugged warriors. The former WBA 140-pound world title holder is now on a shortlist for a mega fight that could potentially be the biggest fight of 2024 and the most profitable. Newly minted 140-pound WBC world champion Devin Haney announced that his next fight would be at 147, and he wanted to fight in Saudi Arabia. When pressed for an answer, Haney's father and representative, Bill Haney, mentioned two names for his next possible opponent. Keith Thurman and Mario Barrios were the candidates, according to the elder Haney. The rumors of a Barrios fight were confirmed by other sources and seems like a makeable and realistic fight for the Spring of 2024. El Azteca last fought in September and handed a career-best performance in outclassing and berating down Cuban former world champion Yordenis Ugas moved his record to 28-2 (18), and became the WBC International welterweight title holder. Haney is fresh off his amazing performance and shut-out UD victory of Regis Prograis last weekend at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, to improve his record to 31-0 (15), and is a strong contender for Fighter of the Year. Current WBC welterweight world titleholder Terence Crawford will likely vacate the title and move up to 154 to rematch Desoto native Errol Spence. That would likely make a Haney-Barrios showdown for the what would be vacant WBC world title. Meaning, that if Barrios won, he would join WBO Flyweight champion Bam Rodriguez as the only San Antonians to ever capture world titles in multiple divisions.