In a world where boxing and mixed martial arts are constantly trying to one-up each other, the latest chapter comes with a surprising twist. After his legendary win over Canelo Alvarez, pound-for-pound boxing king Terence Crawford was asked about a potential super-fight with UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria. His response? He had no idea who Topuria was. Yep, you read that right. The man who holds the UFC belt is a complete mystery to one of the greatest boxers on the planet.
This whole situation has blown up in the combat sports world. Topuria has been on a campaign to get a fight with Crawford, and it all kicked off when Crawford used his signature walkout song for the Canelo bout. Topuria took it as a direct jab, firing back on social media and demanding a showdown in the ring. But for Crawford, it was apparently just a good tune.
Crawford’s Blunt Take on the Cross-Sport Rivalry
Speaking at his post-fight press conference, Terence Crawford didn’t mince his words. When asked about Topuria’s call-out, he admitted he’d never even seen the guy fight. “To be honest, I’ve never even seen this dude fight,” Crawford said, before adding that he didn’t know who Topuria was when they shook hands a little while back. It’s a pretty brutal reality check for a fighter who sees himself as the next big thing.
Crawford went on to question Topuria’s approach, arguing that if you want a big fight, you should do it face-to-face, not through social media bravado. For a fighter who has spent his career grinding through the toughest challenges in boxing, a digital call-out just doesn’t hold the same weight. It highlights a huge difference in the culture of the two sports, where boxing often relies on a more traditional, confrontational build-up.
The Money and the McGregor Comparison
When the conversation turned to the financial side, Crawford’s stance became even clearer. He straight-up asked, “For what? What money would I get out of fighting him?” He knows what he’s worth, and a fight against a lesser-known (in boxing circles) UFC star just doesn’t make sense from a business perspective. He even compared Topuria directly to Conor McGregor, who successfully crossed over for a mega-payday against Floyd Mayweather.
“He’s nowhere near the level of Conor McGregor,” Crawford stated, putting a hard stop on any comparisons. The fact is, McGregor’s fight with Mayweather was a global spectacle that transcended both boxing and MMA, something that Crawford knows is hard to replicate. While Topuria might be an elite fighter in his own right, he doesn’t have the same star power or public profile that McGregor had at the time.
Dana White’s Position and What It Means for the Future
It’s not just Crawford who’s pouring cold water on the idea. UFC President Dana White has also voiced his disapproval. While he gave the green light for the McGregor vs. Mayweather fight, he’s made it clear he won’t be as open to future cross-sport bouts. He recently stated, “I certainly hope not,” when asked about Topuria fighting Crawford, suggesting he wants his fighters to focus on their UFC careers.
Despite all the pushback, Topuria is still holding out hope. He believes he can convince White to let him pursue his boxing dream. But as things stand, the chances of a fight between Terence Crawford and Ilia Topuria are slim to none. It’s a classic case of a rising star in one sport trying to challenge an established legend in another, only to find that their worlds are further apart than they thought.
This whole saga serves as a reminder that while boxing and MMA are both combat sports, they operate in very different universes. For now, it seems like we’ll just have to wait and see if Topuria can build the kind of star power needed to one day earn a fight that a legend like Crawford can’t refuse.
