Oleksandr Usyk has laid out his stipulation for a possible match-up with fellow pound-for-pound star David Benavidez.
Usyk is approaching the final stages of his career, following a legendary run that saw him become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion after multiple wins over each of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
Before his success at heavyweight, Usyk was also undisputed cruiserweight champion after defeating the likes of Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew, with that weight class always seen as the Ukrainian’s more natural division.
Usyk is now keen to return to his natural division, after confirming on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Christian Mbilli broadcast that he wants to drop back down to cruiserweight for a showdown with current unified champion Benavidez.
“I cleaned out heavyweight and now I’ll go back to my weight. Now [I weigh] 96/97kg. Today there is change at heavyweight, if I have an opportunity at cruiserweight, I’m back. It’s a big fight because Benavidez is a big champion. When I have an opportunity, I take this opportunity. This is life.”
After world title reigns at super middleweight and light heavyweight, Benavidez moved to 200lbs back in May and stopped Gilberto Ramirez inside six rounds to win the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles.
‘The Mexican Monster’ looks to add another belt to his collection when he faces WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December, and it appears a victory there could set up the clash with Usyk, although a bout with Jai Opetaia is also a possibility for Benavidez.
