Ilia Topuria, the undefeated UFC lightweight champion, is aiming to expand his sports career by crossing over from mixed martial arts to professional boxing. He has expressed a strong interest in fighting the winner of the highly anticipated bout between Mexican boxing icon Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford. This ambition highlights the growing trend of athletes seeking challenges across combat sports, with Topuria eager to follow in the footsteps of other crossover fighters.

Topuria, who holds dual Spanish and Georgian nationality, regards Canelo as a long-time idol and a benchmark in boxing. He hopes to gain permission from the UFC to pursue this path, inspired by Conor McGregor’s 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., even though McGregor ultimately lost the fight. As Topuria recently secured his second UFC belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira in June, he is at the peak of his MMA career but eager to prove his potential in the boxing ring.

Why not me? I’d love to box against the winner of Canelo and Crawford. But if I could choose, I want Canelo. He was my idol for many years and I feel like I can do it,

—Ilia Topuria

Topuria’s Career Highlights and Boxing Aspirations

Topuria’s rise has been meteoric, with impressive victories over established stars such as Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski establishing him as one of the premier fighters in mixed martial arts. Despite his success in the UFC, Topuria’s sights are now set firmly on boxing, where he wants to challenge himself and expand his legacy. He believes the timing is perfect to venture into the ring while his athletic prime continues.

Let’s do it, now is the best time,

—Ilia Topuria

Prediction for Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford and His Desire for a Title Fight

Looking ahead to the upcoming fight scheduled for September 13 in Las Vegas, Topuria has openly supported Canelo Alvarez as the favorite to win against Crawford. His admiration for the Mexican champion goes beyond just respect, as he confidently claims he can defeat Canelo if given the opportunity. Topuria directly called out Turki Alalshikh, urging the sports executive to grant him a chance to compete for a boxing title.

Canelo, obviously. He is a reference for me. I want my chance against him,

—Ilia Topuria

I feel I can beat him. If I have the chance to fight him, why not? Come on, Turki [Alalshikh], give me the chance to win the title.

—Ilia Topuria

Canelo Alvarez’s Respectful Response to Topuria’s Challenge

When asked about the possibility of facing Topuria, Canelo Alvarez responded with professionalism and respect. Although he has not committed to any future crossover bouts, Alvarez expressed admiration for Topuria’s skills and guarded focus on his immediate responsibilities, particularly his fight against Terence Crawford. This cautious approach suggests that while open to possibilities, Alvarez is prioritizing his current boxing career before exploring new matchups.

I haven’t seen him fight a full fight, but I like him very much, I respect and admire him. Let’s see. First things first, now I’m focused on what I have in front of me,

—Saul “Canelo” Alvarez

Implications of Topuria’s Pursuit of a Boxing Career

Ilia Topuria’s aspiration to cross into professional boxing reflects a growing phenomenon where elite fighters from mixed martial arts seek new challenges and audiences. His expressed goal to fight one of boxing’s biggest stars could generate considerable excitement across both sports, blending fanbases and increasing commercial interest. Should Topuria secure a spot in the ring against Canelo or Crawford, it would mark another significant chapter in the history of cross-discipline combat sports, possibly inspiring more athletes to follow suit.

With Topuria at the height of his MMA achievements and openly calling for a boxing title opportunity, the immediate future could see negotiations or announcements that reshape career trajectories and event promotions. Meanwhile, Canelo’s focus on his next fight ensures that any such crossover will depend on timing and mutual agreement between all parties involved.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?

A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he competes in the Lightweight division and holds the UFC Lightweight Champion title.