Light-heavyweight stars Artur Beterbiev and David Benavidez have both acknowledged the one fighter they believe is unbeatable.

Beterbiev wrote his name into the boxing history books last October when he defeated fellow countryman Dmitry Bivol via majority decision to become the first undisputed light-heavyweight champion of all time, although he fell short in their rematch a few months later.

As for Benavidez, the 28-year-old from Arizona made the move up to 175lbs last year when he captured the WBC interim world title with a victory over Oleksandr Gvozdyk. After former undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol vacated his WBC crown, Benavidez was elevated to full champion in April with his first defence against Anthony Yarde set to take place on November 22.

One fighter that has been mentioned as a potential opponent for both Beterbiev and Benavidez is newly-crowned undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Daniel Dubois in their rematch on July 19. Before the Dubois fight Usyk had planned to move back down to cruiserweight to attempt to become undisputed at 200lbs again.

In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Beterbiev, who was previously keen on a Usyk matchup at cruiserweight, has now ruled out a showdown with former amateur opponent, claiming the Ukrainian star would be ‘too strong’ and ‘too good’ for him.

“No, he’s too strong for me you know. He’s like heavyweight you know it’s too strong even if he came back down. He’s too strong [even at cruiserweight], too good.”

Benavidez also shared his thoughts on the possibility of facing Usyk at cruiserweight, as he reveals in an interview with Fightype that he does not have enough experience to go up against the heavyweight star, even declaring him the ‘greatest of all time’.

“To be honest with you I have to deal with these monsters in this weight class first.

Usyk [at cruiserweight]? I don’t think I have enough experience to go up against Usyk. I’m just being 100% honest…

I have tremendous respect for Usyk and he’s the greatest of all time.”

Usyk cemented himself as the greatest heavyweight of his generation with that historic fifth round stoppage victory over Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London, although it remains to be seen whether the 38-year-old will go on to announce his retirement from the sport.