UPDATE: Terence Crawford has officially brushed off rising UFC star Ilia Topuria as nothing more than a “clout chaser” after the latter aimed for a boxing match with the newly crowned undisputed super middleweight champion. This heated exchange follows Crawford’s spectacular victory over Canelo Alvarez on July 15, 2023, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the boxing world.
Topuria, the 28-year-old UFC lightweight champion, took to social media last week, claiming he could knock out Crawford if they stepped into the boxing ring together. In a swift rebuttal, Crawford dismissed Topuria’s challenge as “delusional,” referring to him as “drunk” during a post-fight news conference shortly after his title win.
This rivalry ignited further when Topuria criticized Crawford for using the song “Canción del Mariachi” from the film Desperado, a track Topuria himself walks out to in the UFC. Taking to X, Topuria fumed, “First he calls me drunk, then he walks out to MY song. Crawford, whenever you want, I’ll teach you how to dance that mariachi in the ring.”
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on July 17, 2023, Crawford doubled down on his stance, insisting Topuria is “not on the level” of famous fighters like Conor McGregor. “I definitely think he’s trying to clout chase,” Crawford stated, making it clear he perceives Topuria’s interest as opportunistic rather than genuine.
Crawford revealed he had never seen Topuria fight, questioning why the UFC champion didn’t express his desire for a match when they met at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas earlier this year. “When he saw me at the UFC, he came up to shake my hand. I ain’t even know who he was,” Crawford explained. “But then I see him online talking about how he’ll knock me out in the first round.”
Despite the financial allure of crossover fights in combat sports, Crawford sees no value in facing Topuria, stating, “What money would I get out of fighting him? Tell me how much I’m going to get out of fighting him?” He firmly stated that Topuria is “nowhere near on the level of Conor McGregor,” emphasizing the disparity in their respective careers.
Crawford’s dismissal of Topuria as a serious contender reflects a broader narrative in combat sports where fighters often seek attention and matchups for financial gain. As Crawford continues to bask in the glory of his recent triumph, fans are left to wonder whether this budding rivalry will evolve or fade into the background.
As this story develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for any further reactions from Topuria and whether Crawford will consider a fight with the UFC champion in the future.