Usyk eyes 'final chapter' at cruiserweight against Benavidez — SkimNews
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- Lapin said Usyk aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027, first seeking a vacant world title and then a unification bout with Benavidez.
- Usyk said he wanted a “last dance” in boxing, a finale expected at heavyweight, while Lapin says the 39-year-old is instead planning to move down a division.
- Usyk last fought in May, earning a gritty win over Verhoeven before vacating his heavyweight titles.
- Benavidez is 29 and has won all 32 of his professional fights, holding the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles.
- Cieslak is scheduled to face Benavidez for the WBC belt on 5 December, while the IBF belt has been vacant since Opetaia was stripped of it in March.
- Usyk won 16 cruiserweight bouts and became undisputed there before moving to heavyweight in 2019.
- Usyk became a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion by beating Fury, Joshua and Dubois twice each, stretching his undefeated record to 25 fights.
Why it matters: Usyk’s 2027 plan offers a second chance at undisputed status in the division where he won 16 fights, but Benavidez is not the immediate opponent: Usyk wants a vacant-title bout first. Benavidez is scheduled to face Cieslak for the WBC belt on 5 December, making this a sequenced campaign across the division’s belts rather than one decisive fight.
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