It's hard to fathom a crossover clash matching the international attention and business success that Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor generated nearly a decade ago.
But a bout between brash talking and talented fan favorites in WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia and 145-pound UFC champion Ilia Topuria could come close. They engaged in a war of words Thursday on social media after Topuria stated he’d handle Garcia with ease if they ever squared off in a boxing match. “Boxing is definitely something where I say, 'I would love to do that.' But I'd love to do it with someone big, someone real with an established name who can add to my resume, which I've worked so hard to build,” Topuria told reporter Alvaro Colmenero. “I wouldn't want to put it in the hands of a nobody just for money. Ryan Garcia would be a huge fight. I'd love it. I see a fight like Garcia being very comfortable for me. I think I would break him long before it gets to the judges for a decision.” Topuria (17-0, 7 KOs, 8 submissions) has proven to be a prolific puncher over the last two years by consecutively knocking out future Hall of Fame fighters Alexander Volkanovski, Max Halloway and Charles Oliveira. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpnoibF4eNg Once the 29-year-old's sound bytes made the rounds on social media, Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) stepped into the conversation and further fanned the flames. “You are a damn good striker for MMA – that’s it,” said Garcia. “You wouldn’t be sipping on tea after our fight, you would be eating through a straw after our fight. Stay in your lane. I’ll gladly stay in mine. “I built my name sleeping guys that are way better boxers than you will ever be. You’ve seen many MMA fighters try, and you’ll just be another UFC hype job cashing out by getting knocked out by a boxer.” Topuria countered. “You built your name on hype," he said. "I built mine by putting legends to sleep. I would give you a boxing lesson. We are not on the same level. Bring the guy you fight in September. I would beat both of you in the same ring. “The biggest win of your career [against Devin Haney, which was later turned to a No Contest] came with steroids. So that’s where your confidence comes from? Interesting. “You tested positive and still talk about ‘flatlining’ people. That confidence is artificial. The world already saw what you needed to win – juice in your ass.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-3i_w8SVjw&t=86s Beefing with fighters in competing combat sports is nothing new for either man. Garcia recently challenged UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan to a boxing match and has previously done the same with Sean O'Malley . Topuria meanwhile, has taken a bite at the top of the food chain by calling out Terence Crawford. Before the pair can entertain the idea of settling their beef in a boxing ring, they must first tend to matters already in place. Garcia appears headed for a September 12 fight against Conor Benn in Las Vegas, while Topuria will make the first defense of his belt when headlining the UFC’s event at the White House on June 14 against Justin Gaethje. Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram : @ManoukAkopyan.
