The landscape of professional boxing shifted significantly on Saturday night as Ryan Garcia captured the WBC welterweight world title, headlining a massive weekend for DAZN, the self-proclaimed “undisputed global home of boxing.” The victory marks a career-defining moment for Garcia and cements DAZN’s position as the primary destination for high-stakes combat sports in 2026.
Ryan Garcia Dominates Mario Barrios in Las Vegas
In a one-sided masterclass at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Ryan Garcia defeated Mario Barrios by unanimous decision on February 21, 2026. Garcia, who had faced questions regarding his focus leading up to the bout, delivered a disciplined and powerful performance to seize the WBC crown. The “King Ry” era officially reached championship status as he dismantled the resilient Barrios over 12 rounds.
The event was not without its hurdles; the scheduled co-main event featuring IBF super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins was canceled just 24 hours prior due to Hitchins withdrawing from his title defense. Despite this, the card remained a commercial success for DAZN PPV, bolstered by a heated undercard and the looming presence of potential future opponents like Conor Benn.
Upcoming Schedule: Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn 2
The boxing action continues tonight, Sunday, February 22, 2026, as Claressa Shields defends her undisputed heavyweight world championship against Franchon Crews-Dezurn. This highly anticipated rematch comes nearly a decade after their professional debuts against one another in 2016. Tensions reached a breaking point during Saturday’s weigh-in, where Shields shoved Crews-Dezurn, sparking a brief fracas on stage.
Other notable results from the weekend include:
- Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2: Wood proved too clinical for Warrington for a second time, winning their heated British rivalry rematch on Saturday.
- Nahir Albright vs. Frank Martin: A dramatic 10th-round rally by Albright led to a unanimous draw after a grueling contest.
- Tyson Fury Update: The “Gypsy King” is officially slated to face Arslanbek Makhmudov in his next outing, with DAZN expected to provide global coverage.
DAZN’s Growing Global Footprint
Founded in 2016 and owned by Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries, DAZN has evolved into a sports streaming powerhouse. With a presence in over 200 markets and a reported revenue of $3.2 billion in 2023, the platform now broadcasts over 185 boxing events annually. Through strategic partnerships with Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Queensberry Promotions, DAZN has effectively consolidated the majority of high-profile boxing rights under one digital roof.
Beyond live streaming, the platform has integrated live betting, gaming, and merchandise to create a “one-stop-shop” for sports fans. In the United States, the broadcast team continues to be led by legendary figure “Sugar” Ray Leonard, providing expert analysis for the platform’s expanding roster of world-class athletes.
How to Watch DAZN Boxing
Fans can access DAZN via smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles. While many regular-season fights are included in the standard monthly subscription, “Mega-fights” like Garcia vs. Barrios are typically offered via DAZN PPV. The platform frequently offers discounts for annual subscribers and “bundle” deals for major fight weekends.