Terence Crawford / Getty Images

‘Best Boxer in the UFC’ – Terence Crawford Passes on Ilia Topuria in Surprising Pick

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 11:28 AM ET

Crawford gears up for his biggest fight while weighing in on UFC boxing skills

Terence Crawford is no stranger to pressure, but his next step may be the toughest of his career. The undefeated champion is preparing to move up in weight to face Mexican superstar Canelo Álvarez on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a bout already billed as one of the year’s biggest events. While focused on training for that matchup, Crawford recently found himself in a different kind of debate when discussing mixed martial arts.

In a sit-down with the Full Send Podcast, Crawford was asked who he believes is the best pure boxer in the UFC.

Without hesitation, he replied: ‘Cody Garbrandt is the best boxer in the UFC.’ When pressed specifically about Ilia Topuria—whose recent dominance has left him undefeated inside the Octagon—Crawford doubled down, saying: ‘I don’t know, man. Cody got them hands. We talking about straight boxing, I think Cody has the best boxing skills in the UFC in my opinion.’

The contrast is striking. Garbrandt is currently riding a two-fight losing streak, struggling to recapture the form that once made him champion. Meanwhile, Topuria has surged to the top of the lightweight division with an undefeated UFC record, turning heads with every performance. Fans quickly pointed this out in reaction to Crawford’s comments, with responses ranging from ‘I don’t think he watches the UFC anymore’ to ‘I love Cody but... Whut!?’

Regardless of whether Crawford’s take holds weight, it highlights how fighters and fans can view “the best” differently. As he sharpens his tools for Canelo, Crawford’s opinion has added another storyline—one UFC fans won’t stop debating anytime soon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: