Artur Beterbiev

For most of a decade, Artur Beterbiev was boxing's most terrifying statistic: a world champion with a 100% knockout ratio. The Russian-born Canadian unified the WBC, IBF and WBO light heavyweight titles by stopping everyone who stood in front of him — 20 knockouts in his first 20 wins, delivered with a patient, grinding pressure that felt less like a fight and more like a slow-closing door.

A two-time Olympian and world amateur champion, Beterbiev turned professional late, at 28, and made up for lost time by simply never losing a round that mattered. The signature nights: breaking down Oleksandr Gvozdyk to unify belts in 2019, the demolition of Anthony Yarde in London, and the undisputed-title victory over Dmitry Bivol in their first meeting in 2024.

The Bivol rematch went the other way — a razor-thin decision that handed Beterbiev the first defeat of his career at 40 and ended one of the sport's great unbeaten runs. It said everything about him that the fight was still even on most cards deep into the championship rounds.

At 41, with a 21-1 record and 20 knockouts, whatever comes next is a bonus chapter. The legacy is already written: the hardest-punching light heavyweight of his generation, and one of the most avoided champions in any division.