Shakur Stevenson challenges Ilia Topuria to a boxing match.
Shakur Stevenson wants to box Ilia Topuria.
In 2017, then-UFC champion Conor McGregor crossed over to boxing for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., in what was one of the biggest combat sports events of all time. Since then, nearly every UFC champion has, at one point or another, signaled some interest in following in McGregor’s footsteps, the latest being lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who, earlier this year, said that his MMA career is almost over and he’ll move to the sweet science soon. And Shakur Stevenson would be happy to welcome him to the squared circle.
Speaking on Adin Ross’ YouTube channel, Stevenson and his mentor, Terence Crawford, talked about the difference between MMA and boxing, with Stevenson challenging “El Matador” to cross over.
“You gotta take that back. You said that the UFC is better than boxing. It’s not true,” Stevenson told Ross.
“The UFC will never be better than boxing,” Crawford added.
“At all,” Stevenson continued. “It ain’t even close. The skill level is different.”
“Alright, so hold on,” Ross chimed in. “Let me ask you guys a question: you don’t think like, Jon Jones would dominate in boxing?”
“Hell no,” Stevenson responded.
“Okay, Ilia Topuria?” Ross asked.
“Tell him to come fight me,” Stevenson replied.
“UFC is good for what they do, and we’re good for what we do,” Crawford explained. “You know what I mean? You’ve got to think, if I can’t whoop you with my hands, I can kick you, I can take you down. It’s a whole different mental capacity than just kicking, punching.”
A potential crossover fight between Stevenson and Topuria would have several obstacles to clear to ever become a reality. For one, UFC CEO Dana White has not allowed any fighter since McGregor to cross over, despite several talking about doing so. For another, Stevenson and Topuria do not compete in the same weight class. Stevenson won the WBO and Ring junior welterweight titles in January, which is 140 pounds in boxing. In contrast, Topuria is a former 145-pound UFC champion, but currently competes at 155 pounds.
And, for the time being, Topuria is otherwise engaged. The lightweight champion recently announced his impending return to the cage, where he will likely unify his title with interim champion Justin Gaethje later this year.
Category: General Sports
