Oleksandr Usyk is considering a shock return to cruiserweight, planning to collide with David Benavidez, but one Hall of Famer has warned the Ukrainian to steer clear of the clash, believing that a defeat to Benavidez could damage Usyk’s legacy.
After an iconic run that saw him become undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk made the move up to heavyweight in 2019 and went on to become a two-time undisputed ruler; twice defeating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois along the way.
A below-par performance against Rico Verhoeven in May prompted him to relinquish his remaining three world titles and declare his intention to pursue only big fights for the remainder of his career.
Surprisingly, after initially calling out Deontay Wilder for his ‘farewell fight’, it seems as though Usyk’s career finale could take place at cruiserweight, in a quest to recapture the undisputed throne.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, International Hall of Fame Inductee Tim Bradley advised the 39-year-old to consider a different exit strategy, believing that a clash with Benavidez could see the undefeated Ukrainian dent his legacy.
“You want to sell your legacy to Benavidez? Be my guest. I am telling y’all right now, I am picking Benavidez whooping a**. He is going to whoop Usyk’s a**.
“The first half is going to be back-and-forth and then he [Usyk] is going to run out of steam and Benavidez is going to beat his a**.”
Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, but challenges for the WBC marble against Michal Cieslak next month, where victory could move him one win away from the undisputed throne and a shot at handing a modern legend his first defeat.
