Mario Barrios, also known by the ring name El Azteca, is a renowned American professional boxer and current WBC welterweight champion. Barrios, who is known to be an aggressive fighter with influential jabs and hard work, has earned himself a spot among the elite fighters in his division. His path is not just that of a successful boxer but also that of an individual who had to overcome a number of personal challenges to achieve what he did.
Barrios is a man with a story of survival, resilience, and the soul of a champion who has gone through tragedy in his youth, rising up to become a world title holder. His popularity only continues to grow, as he is not only lauded because of his technical prowess in the ring but also because of his humbleness outside of it.
Mario Barrios Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Mario Thomas Barrios |
| Birth Date: | May 18, 1995 |
| Age: | 30 Years |
| Birthplace: | Racine, Wisconsin, USA |
| Height: | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Girlfriend | Omayra Liliane Figueroa |
Early Life
Mario Barrios was born on 18th May 1995, in Racine, Wisconsin, United States. Mario was raised by his mother, Isabel Soto, a strong and resilient woman who single-handedly brought up Mario and his sister, Selina, in San Antonio, Texas. Originally from Wisconsin, Isabel introduced Mario to boxing at the age of six and worked tirelessly to support her family.
Mario has often credited her love and strength as key to his success. His biological father, Mario Barrios Sr., had a troubled past; he was convicted of killing Mario’s baby sister, Esperanza, when Mario was still an infant and served many years in prison. He also had a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, which led to custody interventions.
Though he was released in 2020, Mario maintains a distant relationship with him, expressing forgiveness but acknowledging he will never forget his sister. Mario comes from a proud Mexican-American heritage, with maternal roots in Durango and Mexico City and paternal roots in San Luis Potosí. His sister Selina is also a professional boxer, making boxing a deep part of their family identity.
Mario Barrios’ early years were marked by major setbacks, such as a tragic incident in his family that would eventually characterize his strength. His elder sister died when he was a mere infant, and his father was found guilty in connection with the case. His mother and grandmother are left to raise him and his younger sister.
Mario Barrios Career
In 2013, Mario Barrios became a professional at the young age of 18. Competing as a super featherweight, he established an excellent record in short order, displaying a combination of speed, technical skill, and power to knock out his opponents. He became the WBA super lightweight champion in 2019 by beating Batyr Akhmedov in a close and tough contest.
Despite some controversy surrounding the decision, Barrios became a legitimate world champion; his fighting spirit and stamina in the ring were applauded. In 2021, he challenged Gervonta “Tank” Davis in a highly promoted fight, in which he recorded his first professional loss.
Mario Barrios gained a lot of respect after being knocked down several times because he managed to put on a show and stand toe-to-toe with a pound-for-pound fighter. He next made the step up to the welterweight division and faced Keith Thurman in 2022. The loss was by unanimous decision, but it was a learning experience.
Mario Barrios came back even stronger and won and won again until he claimed the WBC interim welterweight championship. He held a blockbuster match in 2025 against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. The fight resulted in a majority draw; however, Barrios still kept his title and further established his place as one of the best rivals in the sport.
Coached by a great trainer, Virgil Hunter, Barrios is still developing as a boxer. His career is still on the rise, and most people believe that he will be the main event in many pay-per-views in the coming years.
Personal Life
Mario Barrios is dating Omayra Liliane Figueroa, a fitness coach and the sister of boxers Omar and Brandon Figueroa, in a long-term relationship. In August 2024, the couple gave birth to their daughter, Luna Sofia. They also post family time on social media, which helps fans see the intimate connection between them. Barrios attributes the support that Omayra had not abandoned as one of the greatest strengths he had during his boxing career.
Social Media
Mario Barrios is a frequent user of Instagram, where he has more than 220,000 followers under the name @boxer_barrios. His posts include insights into his training, fight preparations, and occasionally family time.
Instead of pursuing viral content, Barrios communicates with fans through social media in a natural way, sharing his life experience and uniting his professional and personal sides. This loyal participation has given him a powerful fan base that has supported him in and out of the ring.
Mario Barrios Net Worth
By the year 2025, Mario Barrios has an estimated net worth of between $5 million and $7 million. The major sources of his income are high-profile boxing fights, endorsements, and sponsorships. His lifestyle is rather modest in comparison with other athletes, and he prefers to spend his money on his family and training, not on a luxurious life. Nevertheless, brand deals and media features still contribute to value in his portfolio.