Usyk Adviser Says Usyk Targets 2027 Cruiserweight Return Against Benavidez

Serhii Lapin, adviser to Oleksandr Usyk, said the fighter is planning a bout with David Benavidez at cruiserweight. The potential fight between Usyk and Benavidez is targeted for 2027, with Usyk moving down to cruiserweight rather than Benavidez moving up to heavyweight.

Sergey Lapin said the first step for Usyk is a fight for a vacant world title, followed by a goal to face Benavidez to unify all belts and become undisputed cruiserweight champion. “Oleksandr aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027 and become undisputed again,” Lapin said.

Usyk prefers to fight Benavidez at cruiserweight to become undisputed at that weight class for a second time. The move would match his achievement as a heavyweight.

“We see 2027 as the final chapter of his career. He wants to finish as undisputed champion in the division where he first won all the belts,” Lapin said.

Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion twice. He recorded two wins each over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk relinquished his heavyweight titles in June 2026. He has a record of 25-0 with 16 KOs.

Benavidez has a record of 32-0 with 26 KOs. The IBF belt at cruiserweight is currently vacant.

Benavidez is scheduled to fight WBC titleholder Michal Cieslak in a three-belt unification. The bout is set for December 5 in Arizona.

Benavidez has verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next May, although plans may be uncertain due to Zuffa Boxing’s reported struggles. The WBC has ordered the winner of the Benavidez vs Cieslak fight to fight Opetaia.