Terence Crawford has reacted to Ryan Garcia’s claim that he will be defending his WBC welterweight world title against Floyd Mayweather.

Garcia won the belt at the beginning of the year, soundly outpointing Mario Barrios to become world champion for the first time.

He is now coming off the back of a first defence against Conor Benn – an impressive second-round knockout – and, despite reports off unification talks with Teofimo Lopez, recently said on social media that he will be welcoming Mayweather back to the professional ranks.

Mayweather held the WBC strap at 147lbs twice in his career, first beating Carlos Baldomir in 2006. He retained until 2008 before vacating, but would regain the title in 2011 with a controversial stoppage against Victor Ortiz and hold it until 2015. Two years later, after a win over Conor McGregor, Mayweather retired.

The 49-year-old American had booked a professional return this year to rematch Manny Pacquiao. Legal issues prevented it happening, but it is now targeted for 2027. A fight against Garcia – a young champion in his prime – is a different challenge entirely, but it is one that Crawford says Mayweather will win convincingly.

Taking to social media in the wake of Garcia’s announcement, the five-weight world champion first criticised the 28 year old for considering the fight before making his prediction.

“I know you not fighting nobody old and outta they prime. Shouldn’t you be fighting all these young hungry in prime lions?

“P.S Floyd gone beat yo ass if y’all fight.”

Garcia and Crawford have been in a public feud for some time now, and Garcia has attempted to goad the retired pound-for-pound star back into the ring to settle it.

As for the Mayweather fight, many remain sceptical, particularly given Floyd’s deal to face Pacquiao as well as the fact that he did not mention anything about facing Garcia in his latest interview.