{"id":574068,"date":"2026-05-09T03:34:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/574068\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T03:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T03:34:11","slug":"oleksandr-usyks-team-reacts-to-calls-for-him-to-defend-titles-against-david-benavidez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/574068\/","title":{"rendered":"Oleksandr Usyk’s team reacts to calls for him to defend titles against David Benavidez"},"content":{"rendered":"

A close advisor to Oleksandr Usyk<\/a> has assessed the likelihood of a clash with David Benavidez<\/a>, who has expressed interest in making an audacious move up to heavyweight.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Mexican Monster\u2019 comes off a WBO and WBA title triumph over Gilberto Ramirez<\/a>, dethroning the 34-year-old with a ruthless sixth-round finish last Saturday.<\/p>\n

In doing so, Benavidez became a three-division world champion in his first outing at 200lbs, while still keeping hold of his WBC light-heavyweight belt.<\/p>\n

He therefore has the option to enter an undisputed showdown with Dmitry Bivol<\/a>, who must first defeat mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30.<\/p>\n

Preliminary talks, however, have already been held between both sides<\/a>, with Benavidez having since proposed a possible catchweight limit of 190lbs.<\/p>\n

This, in theory, would allow the 29-year-old to defend his cruiserweight titles while also bidding to claim the undisputed crown at 175lbs, though Bivol is yet to agree or even respond to such terms.<\/p>\n

As an alternative option, Benavidez could just move straight up to heavyweight and challenge Usyk<\/a>, who still holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles.<\/p>\n

With Turki Alalshikh having already expressed his eagerness to deliver this fight in 2027<\/a>, Team Usyk has now responded through Ready To Fight CEO Sergey Lapin.<\/p>\n

Speaking with Pro Boxing Fans<\/a>, Lapin confirmed that a potential Benavidez fight is certainly on the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be a very interesting fight and definitely one that would attract a lot of attention from fans worldwide. It\u2019s definitely an interesting option for Oleksandr.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u203c\ufe0f @usykaa<\/a>‘s manager Sergey Lapin tells us @Benavidez300<\/a> is an “interesting option” for him: “It could be a very interesting fight and definitely one that would attract a lot of attention from fans worldwide\u2026 It\u2019s definitely an interesting option for Oleksandr.” pic.twitter.com\/fy4uGWNXbP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) May 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Before anything else, Usyk must first defend his WBC title against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, on May 23.<\/p>\n