The WBC Interim Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios has faced many grueling opponents in his boxing career. But according to him, no one compares to her mother, the strongest person he has ever known. Hailing from a land of warriors, Barrios has been carrying the weight of his family and community, proudly on his shoulders. It is a matter of life and death for him because that is how he always lived whenever he stepped into the ring.

After some setbacks in the rings, Barrios jumped back wonderfully and cliched the WBC interim welterweight title after defeating Yordenis Ugás in 2023. Now, the San Antonio native is ready for the biggest defense of his career against Abel Ramos on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul. Before that fight, let’s take a look at Barrios’ nationality and from where he gets his unyielding drive.

Where is Mario Barrios from? Hometown, birthplace, and more.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Barrios wears his American-Mexican heritage proudly like a medal. His moniker, ‘El Azteca’, is a testament to the strong bond he shares with his culture. Growing up, the 29-year-old became constantly surrounded by Mexican immigrants who played an important part in his early development as a boxer.

He has often talked about his culture proudly and completely embraced his ancestral heritage. Something that heavily influences his boxing style as well. San Antonio’s boxing community and diverse nature helped Barrios to pursue his dream of boxing as he wanted to give his region their world champion.

Well, he has achieved that dream after years of struggle. But, as Mario Barrios stated, the hard work he put on the mat is nothing compared to everything he faced during his childhood.

More about Mario Barrios: Religion and Early Life

El Azteca was born and raised in a chaotic environment. Rather than being amused by everything around him, Barrios’s childhood was filled with curiosity and a cruel tale, even he had no idea about. When Barrios was just 7 weeks old, his father Mario Barrios Sr. was incarcerated for the murder of his older sister Esperanza, who was just one year old at the time.

According to him, his father was nice but mentioned, “My father was a different person when he was drunk.” He was raised by his mother, Isabel, and grandmother, who loved him and his elder sister dearly.

Isabel introduced both siblings to boxing so that they could let their anger out on something meaningful. That decision completely changed the course of Barrios’s life as he never looked back.

The 29-year-old boxer stated, “I forgive my father. He’s never asked me for forgiveness, but I forgive him,” something that his religion and heritage taught him. While Barrios has never revealed his religious identity, his surname is widely associated with Roman Catholicism. According to several reports, Barrios is a prideful Christian and celebrates his culture and religion without much shame.

Now that El Azteca is ready to enter his biggest fight, he will pridefully enter the ring with his culture and heritage backing him up.

What do you think about Mario Barrios’s upcoming fight against Abel Ramos? Do you think that Barrios’ upbringing has affected his boxing style? Let us know your thoughts down below.