UPDATE: In a fiery exchange, Terence Crawford has dismissed UFC champion Ilia Topuria as a “clout chaser” following Topuria’s bold claims of wanting to box the newly crowned undisputed super middleweight champion. This feud ignited after Crawford’s stunning victory over Canelo Alvarez, which solidified his status as one of boxing’s top fighters.
Crawford, 37, made headlines with his performance on August 5, 2023, dethroning Alvarez and claiming the undisputed title. Just days later, Topuria, 28, took to social media, challenging Crawford and vowing to knock him out in a boxing ring. In response, Crawford labeled Topuria’s claims as “delusional” and accused him of seeking attention.
During a post-fight press conference, the tension escalated when Topuria reacted to Crawford entering the ring to the song “Canción del Mariachi,” which Topuria himself uses for his Octagon entrances. “First he calls me drunk, then he walks out to MY song,” Topuria tweeted, insisting he would teach Crawford how to “dance that mariachi in the ring.”
Crawford, however, remained unfazed by Topuria’s taunts. “I definitely think he’s trying to clout chase,” Crawford stated in an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. He further questioned Topuria’s credibility, expressing confusion over why the UFC champion didn’t voice his desire for a bout when they met at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas earlier this year.
The boxing star emphasized, “When he saw me at the UFC, he came up to shake my hand. I didn’t even know who he was. But then I see him online talking about knocking me out. That’s fake.”
For Crawford, the potential fight lacks appeal. He highlighted the financial disparity, stating plainly, “What money would I get out of fighting him? Tell me how much I’m going to get out of fighting him?” Crawford asserted that Topuria is not on the same level as Conor McGregor, whose 2017 bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. set records.
Crawford’s rejection of Topuria’s challenge underscores the ongoing tensions between boxing and MMA, with crossover fights often drawing significant attention. Yet, Crawford remains steadfast in his stance, insisting, “I’ve never seen this guy fight, and I watch a lot of MMA.” He concluded, “Maybe I’m slipping. Maybe he’s a good fighter. I don’t know.”
The world will be watching to see if this rivalry intensifies or fizzles out, but for now, Terence Crawford is firmly focused on his boxing career, while Ilia Topuria continues to make waves in the UFC.
As this story develops, fans are eagerly anticipating what might come next for both fighters. Will Topuria find a way to bridge the gap between boxing and MMA, or will Crawford continue his dominance in the ring without the distraction of outside challenges? Stay tuned for the latest updates.
