Usyk eyes cruiserweight return to face undefeated Benavidez

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 19:16 · Archive

Oleksandr Usyk is considering moving down from heavyweight to cruiserweight for a final chapter before retiring, potentially to fight David Benavidez.

Oleksandr Usyk, a former undisputed heavyweight champion, is considering a move down to cruiserweight for what could be his final fights before retiring. His adviser Sergey Lapin told media that Usyk aims to return to the division in 2027, where he dominated for much of his career before moving to heavyweight in 2019.

Lapin said Usyk plans to fight first for a vacant cruiserweight world title, then face undefeated American David Benavidez in a unification bout to become undisputed cruiserweight champion again. 'We see 2027 as the final chapter of his career,' Lapin said. 'He wants to finish as undisputed champion in the division where he first won all the belts.' Benavidez, 29, holds the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles and will fight Poland's Michal Cieslak for the WBC belt on 5 December.

Usyk's unbeaten professional record stands at 25 fights. He became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, beating Britons Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois twice each. The Ukrainian vacated his heavyweight titles in May after defeating Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. Sky Sports reports that Usyk's possible move down in weight casts doubt on a third fight with Tyson Fury, who has called for a rematch after losing their previous two bouts.

How it is being reported

• Usyk considering cruiserweight return 'to make history again'Oleksandr Usyk may have already had his last fight as a heavyweight.Sky Sports · 31 Oct, 18:17
• Usyk eyes 'final chapter' at cruiserweight against BenavidezFormer undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing a return to cruiserweight to fight David Benavidez before retiring from boxing, says his adviser.BBC Sport · 31 Oct, 18:11

In this story: Oleksandr Usyk · David Benavidez · Sergey Lapin · Tyson Fury · Ukraine

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