Las Vegas super bantamweight Angel "AK-47" Barrientes (14-1, 9 KOs) has a key moment impending in his young career as he prepares to face Isaac Rojas Garcia (18-0-1, 12 KOs) in a ten-round bout on Saturday, April 25th at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The event, promoted by Matchroom Boxing in association with Boxlab Promotions, will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN. Barrientes, age 23, is promoted by Boxlab Promotions. This fight marks his second scheduled ten rounder, a step up that comes in front of his hometown crowd. Barrientes has remained grounded and focused throughout camp, working closely with his father and coach, Rich Barrientes, refining both his physical and mental approach. “This wasn’t a normal camp, this was war every day,” Barrientes said. “My dad doesn’t let anything slide. He knows me too well, so he pushes me harder than anybody. We went past exhaustion, past comfort. Everything, conditioning, timing, patience, we sharpened it until it hurt. I’m coming to show out, I’m built for this level.”
Facing the undefeated Garcia, Barrientes understands the magnitude of the challenge but sees it as the perfect opportunity to prove himself. “Garcia’s undefeated, yeah, but that just means nobody’s stepped to him the right way yet,” Barrientes continued. “I’ve been grinding for fights like this my whole life. I’m not coming to sneak by or win on points…I’m coming to break him down and end the fight before the final bell rings. This is where I show I’m built different. I respect Garcia, but my hands will be raised after this fight.”
With his second ten-round fight ahead of him, Barrientes views this moment as a turning point, one that could propel him into serious contention in the super bantamweight division. “A win here changes everything for me,” stated Barrientes. “It shows I can compete at the top level of competition, that I can handle real pressure, and that I belong with the top fighters in this division. I’ve put in too much work to stay where I’m at, I’m ready to take that next step and make people start paying attention.”
Fighting in Las Vegas, on a global platform, adds another layer of motivation for Barrientes as he looks to deliver a memorable performance in front of his hometown supporters. “There’s nothing like fighting at home,” Barrientes concluded. “This is my city, these are my people, and I want to give them something to be proud of. To do it on DAZN, where the whole world is watching, makes it even bigger. I’m coming to put on a show so everyone can remember my name.”
Amaury Piedra, President of Boxlab Promotions, believes Barrientes has all the tools to emerge as a serious force in the division. “Angel Barrientes is a fighter we believe in very strongly,” Piedra said. “He has the talent, the work ethic, and the mindset to compete at a high level. This fight is a major opportunity for him, and we expect him to rise to the occasion. A strong performance here can position him as a real contender in the super bantamweight division.”
