“I’d beat the shit out of him”: Boxing star’s emphatic Topuria take

Ilia Topuria has been hinting for a while that he’s eager to step into the boxing ring. The UFC’s double champion owns some of the cleanest striking in the promotion, regularly putting opponents away with his hands in a hurry. He’s already called out elite boxers like Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and the now-retired Terence Crawford. Ryan Garcia, the former lightweight title contender, has said he’d welcome a fight with Topuria - and that he’d defeat him decisively.

“I’d knock him out”

“I would beat the shit out of him,” Ryan said during a conversation with streamer Adin Ross about MMA vs. boxing matchups.

Garcia didn’t just claim he would beat Crawford - the only boxer to become undisputed in three weight classes - he also insisted a fight with Topuria wouldn’t even go to the scorecards. “Yeah, definitely. I think I’d knock him out,” he declared.

Who’s Garcia fighting next?

Garcia was once positioned as one of boxing’s next global superstars. But a positive test for ostarine and ongoing struggles with alcohol and drugs derailed his meteoric rise. In his return after serving a one‑year suspension for doping, King Ry stepped back into the ring looking like a shadow of his former self, dropping a decision to Rolando Romero - who even put him on the canvas. A month later, Garcia underwent hand surgery.

Now looking ahead to 2026, he’s targeting a title fight with champion Mario Barrios, with negotiations underway after the WBC reinstated him.

Topuria time-out

Topuria, for his part, boasts crisp, technically sharp boxing - often the most impressive element of his fights. But the Matador is taking a break as he navigates personal difficulties. It’s unclear when he’ll return to the Octagon, though the plan is for him to face the winner of January’s interim‑title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.

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