Usyk Plots Cruiserweight Return and Benavidez Undisputed Clash

Oleksandr Usyk isn't done, and he isn't staying at heavyweight. The 25-0 Ukrainian has reportedly scrapped his earlier idea of a single farewell bout in 2027 in favour of a two-fight run back down at cruiserweight — the division where he first became undisputed. His advisor Sergey Lapin laid out the roadmap: win a vacant IBF title first, then face the 32-0 David Benavidez to unify everything and become undisputed at 200lbs for a second time.

It's a bold swing for a man who last fought in May, grinding out an 11th-round stoppage of kickboxing crossover star Rico Verhoeven. That win looked flat by Usyk's standards, and he vacated his unified heavyweight belts shortly after. Rather than ride off, Lapin says Usyk wants to close the circle where it started.

The History That Makes It Make Sense

Usyk already owned cruiserweight once. He cleared out Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew to sweep the division before moving up and twice becoming undisputed heavyweight champion. Going back to reclaim the throne at 200lbs would be a rare symmetry — and a legacy flex few fighters could even attempt.

Benavidez is the obstacle, and he's a serious one. 'The Mexican Monster' stepped up to cruiserweight and took the WBA and WBO straps with a sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramírez. He's unbeaten through 32 fights with 26 knockouts, and he's not waiting around — he returns in December against Michal Cieslak for the WBC belt.

Where Opetaia Fits In

The complication is Jai Opetaia. The lineal champ sits at 30-0 (23 KO) and had been floated as Benavidez's unification target, likely for undisputed honours if the Australian recaptured the IBF title he once held. With Usyk now eyeing that same vacant IBF strap, the Ukrainian could effectively jump the queue and set up the Benavidez showdown himself.

That leaves a traffic jam at the top of cruiserweight for 2027 — three unbeaten names, one undisputed crown, and Usyk suddenly inserting himself into the middle of it. If Lapin's plan holds, the division that launched Usyk's legend could also be where it ends. First, though, both men have paperwork to handle: Usyk needs the IBF belt, Benavidez needs December.