Fighter of the Week (4/29-5/5):Mario Barrios

On big fight weekend, it was a surging 147-pounder that showed the world that he belongs with the most elite welterweights in the world.  Not long ago Mario Barrios was an afterthought and was considered a fringe contender and a second-tier welterweight. That is a distant memory after destroying Yordenis Ugas and now beating up Fabian Maidana Barrios is on the verge of being elevated to full 147-pound WBC welterweight champ an achievement that will make him along with Bam Rodrigues the only multi-division world champion from San Antonio. The win over Maidana moved Barrios's record to 29-2 (18), confirmed his status as a premier welterweight, marked his first defense of his WBC interim title and earned him the Fighter of the Week award. 

WBC interim welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios got off to a quick start, and an overhand right in the third sent Maidana tumbling to the canvas. Barrios, trained by Bob Santos, continued to box behind the jab and in complete control throughout the scheduled 12-rounder. It was the Texan that was putting round after round in the bank, but Barrios's right eye was swelling badly from the left hand of Maidana. Barrios had suffered from badly swollen eye issues in the past, and it became a race against time. Could Barrios, who was in complete control, have his badly swollen eye make it to the final bell? Barrios was unphased and continued to pour in right hands and kept Maidana away with his jab as he rolled to a wide unanimous decision by scores of 116-111 X3. El Azteca 29-2 (18), and successfully defended his interim welterweight strap

Barrios has gotten himself in position to be elevated to full world champion by the WBC and is going to have a lot of attractive options moving forward. His name was linked to Devin Haney in the Middle East, that is likely gold for the time being. However fights with Stanions who also won on saturday night is an option as is a fight with Boots Ennis, a fight that was nearly made before. Two other options are an all Texas shootout with Errol Spence should Spence stay at 147 and  his top ranked WBC welterweight Cody Crowley.  Either way at just 27 years old Barrios is hitting his peak and has a bright future with lots of highly entertaining big money fights in his future.