Terence Crawford Declines Title Shot Offer from UFC’s Ilia Topuria

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Crawford Declines UFC Champion Topuria‘s boxing Challenge, cites “clout Chasing”

Las Vegas, NV – Fresh off his historic victory over Canelo Alvarez to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, Terence Crawford is facing calls for a cross-sport showdown. Though, the boxing superstar has emphatically dismissed the challenge from UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Topuria, the undefeated two-weight UFC champion, publicly expressed his desire to face Crawford in a boxing match, even boasting he would knock him out. Crawford responded sharply,labeling Topuria’s claims as delusional. The back-and-forth intensified over a shared musical preference – Topuria taking offense to crawford entering the ring to the same “Canción del Mariachi” song that he uses for his own Octagon walk-ins.

“First he calls me drunk, than he walks out to MY song,” Topuria posted on X (formerly Twitter). He then challenged Crawford to a fight, offering to “teach him how to dance that mariachi in the ring.”

Crawford, though, remains unimpressed. He characterized Topuria’s pursuit as “clout chasing” and dismissed any comparison between him and boxing-crossover pioneer Conor McGregor.

“I definitely think he’s trying to clout-chase,” Crawford said during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I definitely think he would get in the ring with me for the fight check. That’s what we all do it for, but at the same time, I don’t know what the f— he’s doing. I don’t know what he’s thinking. I would — there ain’t even nothing to talk about.”

Crawford further questioned Topuria’s motives, pointing out that the UFC champion had the prospect to discuss a potential fight when thay encountered each other at the UFC Performance Institute. “When he saw me at the UFC, he came up to shake my hand and say what’s up to me.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 and this and that. Well,if you wanted to fight me,you had the opportunity to tell me,’Hey,man,I want to fight you. What’s up?’ That’s fake.”

While cross-promotion fights have gained popularity, Crawford sees no benefit in facing Topuria. He emphasized the financial disparity, stating, “What money would I get out of fighting him?” He was categorical in distinguishing Topuria from McGregor in terms of marketability. “He’s nowhere near on the level of Conor McGregor. Let’s be real. stop it. Don’t even compare him to Conor… I don’t know this guy. I’ve never seen this guy fight, and I watch a lot of MMA.”

What factors likely influenced Terence Crawford’s decision to remain in boxing despite a meaningful financial offer from the UFC?

Terence Crawford, the undisputed welterweight champion, has reportedly turned down a lucrative chance to cross over to the UFC for a fight against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. This surprising development has sent ripples through both the boxing and mixed martial arts communities, sparking debate about crossover fights, fighter loyalty, and the potential for future collaborations. The news was first reported by several sources close to both fighters,confirming speculation that had been building as Topuria publicly called out Crawford following his victory over Alexander Volkanovski.

The Offer and Its Details

While specific financial details haven’t been officially released,sources indicate the UFC offered Crawford a substantial purse – rumored to be in the eight-figure range – for a single fight against Topuria. The proposed bout would have been a catchweight, likely at 155lbs (lightweight), a weight class Crawford has previously competed in.

Here’s a breakdown of what was reportedly on the table:

* Purse: Estimated $10-15 million guaranteed.

* Weight Class: 155lbs (lightweight) – Catchweight.

* Bout Format: Standard UFC ruleset (MMA).

* Contract: One-fight deal.

The offer represented a significant financial incentive for Crawford, potentially eclipsing his earnings from boxing. However, Crawford ultimately chose to remain in the boxing world.

Why Crawford Said No: Key Factors

Several factors likely contributed to Crawford’s decision to decline the UFC offer. Understanding these provides insight into the fighter’s priorities and the complexities of crossover fights.

* Boxing Legacy: Crawford is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of his generation. He’s focused on solidifying his legacy within the sport, with potential future fights against other top boxers like Errol Spence Jr. (rematch) and potentially moving up in weight.

* Risk vs. Reward: While financially appealing, transitioning to MMA carries significant risk. Topuria is a highly skilled and risky fighter with a strong grappling background. crawford, despite his athleticism, would be entering topuria’s domain.

* Contractual Obligations: Crawford likely has existing promotional contracts and commitments within the boxing world that would have complex a move to the UFC.

* Familiarity and Comfort: crawford has spent his entire career honing his skills in boxing. The ruleset, training regimen, and competitive landscape are all familiar to him.

Topuria’s Pursuit of Crossover Fights

Ilia Topuria has been vocal about his desire to test himself against elite athletes from other combat sports. His callout of Crawford wasn’t an isolated incident. He previously expressed interest in a boxing match against Conor McGregor, demonstrating a willingness to challenge himself outside the confines of the UFC.

* Previous Callouts: Topuria has publicly challenged both Conor McGregor and Terence Crawford.

* Strategic Motivation: Pursuing crossover fights elevates Topuria’s profile and generates significant media attention, increasing his marketability and earning potential.

* Confidence in Skillset: Topuria believes his well-rounded MMA skillset would allow him to compete effectively against top boxers.

The Future of Crossover Combat Sports

The crawford-Topuria situation highlights the growing trend of crossover fights between boxing and MMA. While these events generate massive buzz and revenue, they also raise questions about fairness and the integrity of each sport.

* Jake Paul’s Influence: The success of Jake Paul in boxing has undeniably opened the door for more crossover fights. His bouts against former MMA fighters have proven to be commercially viable.

* Francis Ngannou’s Boxing Debut: Francis Ngannou’s surprisingly competitive performance against Tyson Fury further fueled the crossover conversation.

* Potential Future Matchups: Despite Crawford’s rejection, the possibility of other crossover fights remains. Names like Canelo Alvarez and Kamaru Usman are frequently mentioned in discussions.

Crawford’s Next Steps in Boxing

With the UFC offer off the table, Crawford is expected to return to boxing. His immediate future remains uncertain, but several potential opponents are on the horizon.

* **Errol