"Carl Froch Explains Why Mario Barrios Holds a Psychological Upper Hand Against Ryan Garcia"

CARL FROCH reckons Mario Barrios already has a psychological edge over Ryan Garcia heading into their world title clash.

Barrios defends his WBC welterweight strap against Garcia on Saturday night in Las Vegas – live on DAZN PPV.

Carl Froch reckons Mario Barrios already has a physiological edge over Ryan GarciaCredit: sunsport Joe Goossen formerly trained GarciaCredit: Getty Goossen now trains Garcia’s opponent Barrios

And he will do so with esteemed trainer Joe Goossen in his corner – the man who

In fact, Los Angeles-based Goossen has known since the boxing star was a teenager – with Froch believing Barrios has a mental advantage.

“Joe Goosen knows his stuff,” Froch said on SunSport’s No Glove Lost episode on YouTube alongside ex-world champions Josh Taylor and Barry Jones.

“He knows the game. He may have never boxed, but he’s been in there with top fighters.

“And I think yeah, because he knows the other fighter, that will be a little bit in his head, he’ll be giving him little tips and tactics.

“And it’ll be niggling away at him inside his head thinking, ‘Oh, he’s told him this, he’s told him that.’

“So any tiny little edge in a fight that’s pretty close, and this one could be close, I think anything, anything helps.”

Garcia joined Goossen in 2022 after leaving Canelo Alvarez’s gym and head coach Eddy Reynoso.

The pair had three bouts together but split following a 2023 defeat to Gervonta Davis – with Garcia insinuating Goosen had a part to play in leaks coming from within his own camp.

Garcia later linked up with Texan Derrick James for three more bouts but they also parted ways following defeat to Rolly Romero in May.

The social media sensation will now have his dad Henry leading the corner for his world title tilt against Barrios – who denied hiring Goosen as a mind game.

And Garcia has raised concern over his camp, having posted videos training from his LIVING ROOM and sparring streamers online.

“You don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors,” Froch said.

“He’s training in his kitchen or in his living room, what’s he actually doing in the gym?

“And what goes off in his head when he’s in the gym? Has he got respect? Talk about me and Robert McCracken, Rob McCracken was my mentor.

“He was like my big brother, stroke father, stroke trainer. I always say Daniel Larusso and Mr Miyagi, it’s like that sort of relationship. I don’t ask why, I just get on with it.

“And I know that what he’s telling me is the right advice and Josh Taylor knows about that because he’s been on Team GB with him as an amateur.

“And I was fortunate to have somebody like that and Ryan Garcia probably could do with somebody who kind of tells him what to do and tells him to knuckle down.

“But he’s his own man and he’s his own star in his own right and that’s his personality and if that makes him tick and that makes him perform.”

Despite Garcia’s unpredictability and lack of training assurance – Froch is still backing him to beat Barrios and become world champ.

“I think the smart money is on Garcia because of the power, stylistically and that speed, the hand speed,” he said.

“Garcia won’t have to go looking for Barrios and I think he’ll catch him. I’m going Garcia by knockout.”

Barrios facing off with GarciaCredit: Golden Boy Promotions