Kamaru Usman has been told he has a "very small chance" of beating Canelo Alvarez in a potential crossover bout.
The 'Nigerian Nightmare' has remained undefeated during his time in the UFC and is now eyeing a challenge in the boxing ring against Alvarez.
Both Alvarez and Usman are regarded as the leading pound-for-pound fighter in their respective sports.
And while UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev has refused to rule out Usman defeating Alvarez, he knows the welterweight faces an enormous up-hill battle.
"Yes but not a big chance," Makhachev told ESPN MMA when asked if Usman has a chance of beating Alvarez. "Canelo is at a high level and is the number one in the world now.
"Anyway this is boxing, Usman has a very hard and good punch. I give him a very small chance of winning but anything is possible."
Usman is currently out of action after undergoing surgery to repair a hand injury suffered in his rematch victory over Colby Covington.
In the build-up to that fight and afterwards, Usman has called for a clash between himself and Alvarez as he believes it would be a good "pay day" for the pair.
Alvarez has already agreed to a two-fight deal this year which will involve a light-heavyweight duel against Dmitry Bivol before defending his 168lb titles in a trilogy bout with Gennady Golovkin.
Any fight between the pair is likely to take place in the future with Usman currently tied down to a deal with the UFC.
The Mexican star has now refused to rule out a clash with Usman in the future but is currently focused on continuing his legacy in boxing.
Alvarez said on theTheMMA Hour: “Maybe. Why not?" You never say no. My trainer told me about it and I said, ‘Well, if you say.’ It’s not really on my mind. I want a really good legacy for my career and we can talk about other things later.”
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Usman looks set to defend his UFC welterweight title against Leon Edwards upon his return from injury, but is eyeing a bout with Alvarez after the tilt.
UFC president Dana White is unlikely to entertain any option to help promote a crossover bout despite being involved in the huge clash between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather in the past.
However the Nigerian star believes the fight would represent a nine-figure payday for the pair and is confident he can stop boxing's top star.
"He’s walking around saying payday, payday - absolutely. It’s the biggest payday you are ever gonna make," Usman said.
"I understand that he gets paid, he makes money. But fighting me is the biggest payday he’s ever gonna make. We talking nine figures, for sure.
"Absolutely I see myself winning that fight. And that’s the thing that a lot of people fail to realise A lot of people, because they think they can’t do something, they try to put that upon you. ‘Oh, you can’t do that. It can’t be done.’"
