Oleksandr Usyk wants to drop back down to cruiserweight to face David Benavidez, which could completely upend Benavidez’s schedule for 2027. Usyk wants the clash immediately, yet Benavidez already has Michal Cieslak lined up and previously targeted Jai Opetaia next.

Usyk’s advisor, Serhii Lapin, informed The Ring that the undefeated Ukrainian plans to return to 200 pounds. Lapin stated that Usyk wants Benavidez at peak form so he can recapture the undisputed cruiserweight crown.

Before anything else happens, Benavidez has to get past WBC champion Cieslak on December 5 in Glendale, Arizona. With the WBA and WBO titles also on the line, three belts will be collected by the winner. Because the IBF strap remains vacant, taking down Cieslak won’t crown an undisputed king on its own.

Opetaia represents the main scheduling bottleneck. Following the Australian’s stoppage of Noel Mikaelian in September, Benavidez stepped inside the ropes to promise a collision for Cinco de Mayo weekend in May. Benavidez has additionally mentioned Artur Beterbiev alongside Usyk as cruiserweight targets.

That lineup gets crowded quickly, especially with Usyk seeking an immediate bout. Usyk hits 40 in January, meaning sitting around through several Benavidez matchups pushes any potential meeting even deeper into his forties.

An official offer from Usyk forces Benavidez into a massive decision. He already committed to Opetaia face-to-face, but Usyk provides a shot at defeating an undefeated, reigning heavyweight king. Jumping at the Ukrainian leaves Opetaia sidelined despite their public agreement.

If Usyk genuinely offers to meet him at 200 pounds immediately, Benavidez loses his comfortable script. He cannot hide behind the excuse that Usyk is too heavy, and he cannot claim the money or prestige is not there. Benavidez would have to choose between a guaranteed stylistic test against an all-time great or scrambling for cover behind his previously scheduled dates with Cieslak and Opetaia.

Usyk has not stepped onto a cruiserweight scale since knocking out Tony Bellew in November 2018. His past nine outings have happened entirely at heavyweight, most recently stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round in May.

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Boxing • Alexander Usyk • Oleksandr Usyk Calls Benavidez’s Bluff With Cruiserweight Move