Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios are closing in on a deal for a WBC welterweight title fight in the first quarter of next year, sources told The Ring.

Officials from Garcia’s promoter, Golden Boy, and PBC have been exchanging contracts, per sources.

Last month, Garcia said he was interested in challenging Barrios for his 147-pound title. Barrios (29-2-2, 18 KOs) was held to a draw against the legendary Manny Pacquiao in a July title defense in Las Vegas. The fight was the 46-year-old Pacquiao’s first in nearly four years as he came out of retirement.

Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) is one boxing’s top stars, but he’s never won a world title. In his first title challenge, he was stopped by Gervonta Davis in a 2023 super fight. Garcia was at a serious disadvantage in that matchup as he faced Davis at 135 pounds with a rehydration clause.

Garcia, 27, is coming off a shocking upset loss to Rolly Romero in May, a Ring Magazine main event that took place in Times Square. Romero won the decision and the vacant WBA interim welterweight title; he was later upgraded to world titleholder as Jaron Ennis moved up in weight.

Barrios has a stoppage loss against Davis on his record, too. The 30-year-old from San Antonio was also held to a draw in his most recent fight before facing Pacquiao, against Abel Ramos in November 2024.

Garcia, sources confirmed, has been approached by Jake Paul’s team about the possibility of replacing Davis in a Netflix exhibition event that could be shifted to December.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix first reported that Garcia’s team was approached regarding the Paul event.

Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, said Saturday on social media that Garcia isn’t an option to face Paul due to Golden Boy’s contract with DAZN while, “Paul fights on Netflix.”

Devin Haney is scheduled to challenge Brian Norman Jr. for a welterweight title on Nov. 22 in Riyadh, part of the stacked The Ring IV card.

If both Haney and Garcia win, a welterweight title unification rematch would stand as one of boxing's biggest fights.