Shakur Stevenson, one of boxing’s top fighters, has publicly challenged UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to step into the ring. The challenge came during a live stream with Aiden Ross, where Stevenson and fellow champion Terence Crawford discussed boxing versus MMA.
Boxing vs. MMA debate
During the conversation, Ross suggested UFC might be superior to boxing, but Stevenson pushed back.
“I saw you say that, you gotta take that back – you said that the UFC is better than boxing,” Stevenson told Ross.
Crawford agreed. “UFC will never be better than boxing,” he said.
“At all – it ain’t even close,” Stevenson added. “The skill level is different.”
Crawford explained the differences between MMA and boxing.
“UFC is good for what they do, and we good for what we do. You gotta 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.”
When Ross asked if former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones could succeed in boxing, Stevenson answered directly.
“Hell no,” he said.
Then Ross asked about Topuria. Stevenson did not hesitate.
“Tell him come fight me,” Stevenson said.
Ross warned, “He’s a crazy boxer, bro.”
“I don’t care. Tell him to come fight me,” Stevenson replied.
Stevenson recently won the Ring Magazine and WBO World Super Lightweight titles by defeating Teofimo Lopez on January 31. He weighed in at 138 pounds, moving up from the lightweight limit of 135 pounds. In a potential fight against Topuria, Stevenson would be the smaller fighter, as Topuria is a UFC lightweight champion at 155 pounds.
Topuria has also expressed interest in moving up to welterweight at 170 pounds in pursuit of another UFC title, which would widen the weight difference even more.
Boxers and MMA fighters have met in crossover matches before, often with predictable outcomes. In boxing, the trained boxer usually dominates, while in MMA, the MMA fighter succeeds in the cage.
One of the most famous examples is Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather in 2017. McGregor, then an active UFC champion, faced boxing legend Mayweather. The fight included a worldwide promotional tour with stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, and London. Despite the hype, Mayweather won by TKO in the tenth round.
“I thought McGregor did good, but I think Floyd let him look good,” Stevenson said. “… Floyd was trying to entertain y’all – make it fun.”
Crawford added, “(Mayweather) carried him, but McGregor did do some good things in there.”
Topuria, who is considered one of the best strikers in MMA, favors his right hand. Early in his career, he admired McGregor, though he later became critical of him. A boxing match against Stevenson, who has traits similar to Mayweather’s style, would be another high-profile crossover event.
Stevenson’s challenge demonstrates his confidence and readiness to test his skills against a UFC champion. The question remains whether Topuria will accept the invitation and step into the boxing ring.
