Ilia Topuria’s Strong Comments Spark Intrigue Over a Possible Boxing Future

Boxing and MMA have gone back and forth for decades over who can dominate in which arena. We've seen crossover bouts before—like Mayweather vs. McGregor or James Toney vs. Randy Couture—that fueled the debate. At the end of the day, it's Topuria's mindset that casts him as the victor, regardless of the arena. It wasn’t just a throwaway line—Topuria doubled down, saying he’ll win at anything, ‘even a game of chess.’

That unshakeable belief in himself has become a defining trait as he continues to attract attention from both MMA and boxing circles. Topuria also acknowledged that Canelo Álvarez is one of his favorite fighters across all of combat sports, saying he has learned a lot from studying him and draws inspiration from his style and career.

Known for his powerful and precise striking, Topuria would certainly draw intrigue if he ever stepped into a boxing ring. While we might not be getting Topuria vs. Canelo anytime soon—unless it’s on a chessboard—his confidence continues to fuel speculation. Still, with the UFC lightweight division offering high-stakes challenges and legacy-defining fights, fans are unlikely to see a crossover bout any time soon. Yet the conviction in his tone made one thing clear—if or when that moment comes, he’ll be ready. Whether it’s a cage, a ring, or a chessboard, Ilia Topuria doesn’t plan on losing.