Usyk Planning Benavidez Fight At Cruiserweight

Oleksandr Usyk is pursuing a 2027 showdown with David Benavidez at cruiserweight rather than heavyweight, according to his adviser Serhii Lapin.

Per Bad Left Hook, Lapin told The Ring that the former undisputed heavyweight champion wants to drop back down to 200 pounds to chase a second undisputed reign at cruiserweight. Usyk already unified all four belts in the division before moving up in 2019, and views Benavidez as the path to matching that achievement again.

Benavidez Holds Two Cruiserweight Titles

Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight straps and faces WBC titleholder Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification on December 5 in Arizona. The IBF belt is vacant, meaning the winner would need just one more fight to become undisputed. Benavidez's father called Usyk the "biggest challenge" left for his son, per the report, and the 29-year-old has previously expressed willingness to face the Ukrainian even at heavyweight.

The WBC has ordered the Benavidez-Cieslak winner to face Jai Opetaia next May, though those plans could shift given Zuffa Boxing's reported recent struggles. Usyk vacated all his heavyweight titles this year and fought just once in 2026, stopping kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round after a competitive first 10 frames.

Usyk turns 40 in January, which would make him 40 years old by the time any late-2027 bout materializes. Benavidez carries a 32-0 record with 26 knockouts into the Cieslak unification.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Report: Oleksandr Usyk planning fight with David Benavidez at cruiserweight