Usyk targets cruiserweight return and Benavidez fight in career ‘final chapter’

Oleksandr Usyk is targeting a return to cruiserweight in 2027, with a vacant world-title fight followed by a potential unification bout against David Benavidez, according to his adviser Sergey Lapin. Lapin describes the plan as the final chapter of the Ukrainian’s boxing career.

Usyk, 39, had previously indicated he wanted a “last dance” in boxing, which was expected to come at heavyweight. Lapin says the plan has changed: Usyk wants to reclaim the undisputed cruiserweight crown before facing Benavidez, an undefeated American who holds the WBO and WBA titles in the division.

“Oleksandr aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027 and become undisputed again,” Lapin told BBC Sport. He said the first step would be a fight for a vacant world title, followed by a bid to unify the belts against Benavidez.

Benavidez, 29, has won all 32 of his professional fights. He is due to fight Poland’s Michal Cieslak for the WBC cruiserweight title on 5 December. The IBF title is vacant after Jai Opetaia was stripped of it in March.

Usyk became undisputed cruiserweight champion after winning 16 fights in the division, then moved up to heavyweight in 2019. He went on to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and remains unbeaten across 25 professional bouts. His most recent fight was a win over Rico Verhoeven in May, after which he vacated his titles.