Crawford ignores Topuria and makes his focus clear

Terence Crawford, undisputed champion in three professional boxing categories, put an end to speculation about a possible matchup with Ilia Topuria. After repeated calls from the UFC fighter, Crawford was emphatic: “Honestly, I don't know him very well and I have no plans to fight him. He's not Conor McGregor, I'm not interested in this kind of crossover or the comments it generates.”

With 42 wins, no losses, and 31 knockouts, Crawford remains one of the most dominant figures in world boxing. His recent victory over Canelo Alvarez in September 2025, which made him the undisputed super middleweight champion, reaffirms his position as the benchmark for the boxing elite.

Topuria insists, but the boxer refuses to budge

Ilia Topuria, with an undefeated record of 17-0 in MMA and 12 finishes, had intensified his calls for Crawford after perceiving alleged provocations during the champion's walkout against Canelo. The Spaniard was confident in his ability to face Crawford in a boxing ring, but his words fell on deaf ears: “He would definitely want to fight me for the ‘clout,’ but I don't know what he's thinking. There's nothing to talk about,” Crawford said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.”

The comparison with Conor McGregor

Crawford did not hesitate to set a clear boundary: “Don't compare him to Conor McGregor. Conor had the skill, fame, and track record that justified a crossover fight. This guy is nowhere near that level.” According to the champion, any clash of this kind must have clear media and financial value, something that Topuria does not yet possess on a global scale.

Is a fight between Topuria and Crawford possible?

Everything points to a Crawford vs. Topuria matchup looking highly unlikely. On the one hand, Crawford remains focused on opponents with proven track records in professional boxing; on the other, Topuria dominates in MMA, but has no experience in the ring. Even if the Spaniard trained specifically for boxing, the physical risk and limited media exposure make the matchup a very unviable proposition.

Crawford's priorities

Although Topuria's insistence is generating buzz on social media, Crawford makes it clear that his priority is to consolidate his reign in boxing. Any attempt at a crossover would be more of a marketing experiment than a balanced fight, and the Omaha champion is not willing to give up ground or attention to provocations without substance.