Some of San Antonio’s top sports headlines from 2024, selected by the KSAT 12 Sports team.

Mario Barrios is no stranger to the big stage. The boxer and Southwest High School alum is set to showcase his talents later this month on Netflix.

San Antonio's world champion boxer will be featured on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight

San Antonio boxing champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios will fight on the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card in November.

Both Mario Barrios and his trainer are talking about possibly facing Pacquiao in his return fight.

"El Azteca" successfully defended his title belt in his first fight this year.

San Antonio's Mario Barrios will be the co-main event for May 4th PPV bout.

"El Azteca" fulfills promise, brings San Antonio another championship

San Antonio's Mario Barrios will fight on the Canelo vs. Charlo undercard this coming weekend with a chance to win another title belt.

The Barrios family has made changes together for 2023 career moves.

Mario Barrios makes 2023 debut back in his hometown.

Mario Barrios never backed down in his first fight of 2022.

Mario Barrios and Jesse Rodriguez are ready for their first fight of 2022.

San Antonio's Mario Barrios met face-to-face with Keith Thurman before their PPV fight on Saturday.

Mario Barrios faces Keith Thurman in less than two weeks in Sin City.

Mario Barrios will be moving up in weight next year as he faces another tough opponent.

After his first professional loss, San Antonio boxer Mario Barrios stopped by KSAT 12 for a sitdown interview with Larry Ramirez to discuss his fight with Gervonta Davis and hopes for the future.

Gervonta Davis stopped Mario Barrios in the 11th round Saturday night to claim the WBA super lightweight title, his third world championship.

Now that he has faced off with his opponent, Southwest alumnus Mario Barrios talks with KSAT 12 Sports' Larry Ramirez about his upcoming pay per view fight against Gervonta Davis on June 26.

San Antonio's world champ faces his next opponent for the first time since the Showtime PPV fight was announced.

Mario Barrios prepares in California for his Showtime PPV fight.

San Antonio's world champ Mario Barrios defends his title on PPV this coming June!

It was also the first successful defense for a world title by a San Antonio boxer in history. “El Profesor” took that belt away from Moloney in late June and was the talk of the boxing world through the summer. “By comparison, I think my trilogy was way tougher than my fight with Moloney,” said Franco to KSAT 12 Sports Thursday. Franco Moloney 2 will be the co-main event under the Terence Crawford vs. Kell Brook welterweight title bout. Daniel P. Villanueva has worked with KSAT 12 Sports for over 17 years and is an award-winning sports producer.

By the next round, Karl’s momentum and speed slowed down considerably. By the sixth round, Barrios stepped on the gas pedal. I was just being patient and I was ready for a 12 round fight. “I’d give myself a B (for the fight),” Barrios said. 37 of Barrios' 121 landed punches were body shots #BarriosKarl pic.twitter.com/FZZRftJSw6 — CompuBox (@CompuBox) November 1, 2020“Part of my style is attacking the body,” explained Barrios.

“Come Saturday night, it’s going to be an explosive night of boxing throughout this whole card. I couldn’t imagine a better co-main event.”Barrios received mixed reactions from the crowd when he won his title belt on September 28 of last year. Saturday night, I’m going to show everyone how I’ve improved.”Karl is three years older than Barrios and has never fought for a belt in his professional career. “I come to fight, I’m rough and ready and I’m coming to win any way possible," said Karl. Saturday’s fight night will be the first in the nation to have fans present since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

SAN ANTONIO – Towards the end of 2019, no one could have predicted that the Alamodome could host two major boxing events this year. First, Mexico’s rising star Jaime Munguia crushed Gary O’Sullivan in January, which was the first big boxing event of 2020. Although he does enjoy his current surroundings, the undefeated fighter added, “I don’t picture myself living anywhere else other than San Antonio. The same rules will apply for fighters, personnel and media this week in downtown San Antonio. Thursday will be the main event press conference for Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz starting at noon.

SAN ANTONIO – It’s finally official: boxing is returning to the Alamodome and fans will be allowed to be in attendance. This will be the first boxing event in the United States to have fans present since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. “I’m very excited for my first title defense to be back home at the Alamodome,” Barrios said to KSAT 12 Sports Thursday. “Last fight I had (in San Antonio) was a sensational turnout and I know October 31st will be no different. According to the Alamodome events staff, 11,000 fans will be allowed inside for the fights.

– San Antonio’s world champ is coming home to defend his world title. Barrios has fought in San Antonio four times but never in the Alamodome and never as a defending world champion. “I’m very excited for my first title defense to be back home at the Alamodome,” Barrios said to KSAT 12 Sports Thursday. “Last fight I had (in San Antonio) was a sensational turnout and I know October 31st will be no different. Leo Santa Cruz has fought in San Antonio before in 2013.

SAN ANTONIO By the time Mario Barrios enters the ring as the world champ, it would have been almost 365 days since he won that title. On September 28, 2019, Mario Barrios defeated Batyr Akhmedov by unanimous decision to win the WBA World Super Lightweight championship belt. The Barrios vs. Karl fight will be one of four title fights on the Showtime/Premier Boxing Champions PPV card. Barrios told KSAT 12 Sports last year that he was more than willing to give Akhmedov the chance to fight him again. Karl is currently on a three-fight knockout streak after losing his second professional fight by technical knockout in 2018.

SAN ANTONIO Fight night is quickly approaching for Hector Tanajara Jr.El Finito is putting his undefeated record on the line against veteran lightweight Mercito Gesta. Tanajara Jr. (19-0, 5 KOs) will be defending his WBC USNBC Lightweight title in his 20th career bout. Im looking forward to it, Tanajara said to KSAT 12 Sports last week via Zoom. I just have to keep working hard, everything weve been doing are the right steps to becoming a world champion, said Tanajara. When it comes time to fight, both Tanajara Jr. and Franco fly out to Riverside where they have a house and work with the legendary trainer Robert Garcia.

SAN ANTONIO Mario Barrios has been enjoying the spotlight since becoming the Alamo City's newest world champ. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and members of San Antonio's City Council honored the WBA World Super Lightweight champion at City Hall. "It's awesome, just the amount of support and love I've received from my city as a whole," Barrios told KSAT 12. Members of San Antonio's City Council also shared their personal praise for the undefeated boxer as he was lauded at City Hall. A potential Barrios fight in San Antonio would be the biggest bout the city has seen in years.

Here's the latest boxing news coming out of San Antonio this weekend. Barrios won with a first round knockout thanks to a crush left hook to the ribs of Gallegos. "It was beautiful to see the fans of San Antonio come out and support our boxing event last night. The energy in the crowd last night was unbelievable and I want to thank all the fans in San Antonio for their support," said Arredondo, who is now 6-0 with 3 knockouts. He's been in his hometown of San Antonio recently, training with his sister before her latest bout.

Barrios, who is ranked the number one contender in the WBA Super Lightweight division, will face undefeated Mexican boxer Richard Zamora in a 10-round super lightweight bout live on Showtime this Saturday. Barrios enters Saturday's fight with a six knockout streak and a record of 22-0 with 14 knockouts. Barrios, a graduate from Southwest High School, won the WBA Inter-Continental Welterweight title back in late July. Some fighters may be hesitant about the tight turnaround for a big fight but that kind of pressure doesn't phase Barrios. You will see my greatness from me on fight night.Saturday's broadcast starts at 9 p.m. CST and can be seen on Showtime, Showtime Sports YouTube Channel and the Showtime Boxing Facebook page.

SAN ANTONIO It's not easy to fill the shoes of the legendary "Jesse" James Leija but one local fighter continues to make waves as he travels down that path. Undefeated boxer Mario Barrios is ready to showcase his talents live Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. "A win Saturday is another win for San Antonio," said Barrios Wednesday afternoon. "That means I'll be able to bring a regional title back to San Antonio with a world title in the horizon." Being on this undercard is a huge opportunity to showcase my talents," Barrios said.