Boxing champion Shakur Stevenson recently made an appearance with Adin Ross, where he stated that boxing is superior to the UFC, and he’s ready to prove it in the ring against anyone who disagrees.
When the conversation turned to comparing combat sports, Stevenson didn’t hold back. “UFC would never be better than boxing at all. It ain’t even close,” he stated emphatically.
The undefeated boxer explained his position by highlighting the fundamental differences between the two sports. “The skill level is different,” Stevenson emphasized.
The discussion grew heated when Adin Ross suggested that UFC might offer a better viewing experience. Stevenson pushed back, arguing that while both sports have their merits, boxing demands a higher level of technical precision.
Fellow boxing champion Terence Crawford, who joined the video, supported this view by explaining that each discipline has its own challenges. “If I can’t beat you with my hands, I can kick you. I can take you down,” Crawford said, describing the UFC’s approach. “It’s a whole different mental capacity.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when Stevenson directly called out UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. When asked if he would box the Georgian star, Stevenson responded with confidence.
He said, “Tell him go [compete against] me.” He dismissed concerns about Topuria’s boxing abilities, stating plainly, “I don’t care.”
Crawford elaborated on why crossover matches don’t always translate well. “He is good for what they do and we good for what we do,” he acknowledged, recognizing that each sport requires specific training and expertise.
Ross agreed, pointing out that the reverse scenario would be equally challenging: if Floyd Mayweather competed Conor McGregor in the octagon instead of the boxing ring, the outcome would have been drastically different.
Despite his strong opinions on boxing’s superiority, Stevenson showed respect for UFC athletes.
“Everybody trying to feed their family. So it’s like, we all doing the same thing,” he said. However, he remained firm in his belief that when it comes to pure hand-to-hand combat skill, boxing stands above mixed martial arts.
