Former undisputed world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk plans to return to the cruiserweight division in 2027 and face the undefeated American David Benavidez, who holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. Before that, the Ukrainian is considering the possibility of competing for the vacant IBF belt. The 39-year-old boxer’s plans were revealed by his team’s representative, Serhiy Lapin, in comments to talkSPORT and The Ring. According to Lapin, next year could be the last of Usyk’s professional career.
Usyk wants to end his career as the undisputed world champion
According to Sergei Lapin, the Ukrainian boxer’s team is drawing up a plan for his return to cruiserweight — the weight category up to 90.7 kg, in which Usyk previously won all four major championship belts.
The first step could be a bout for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) title. After that, the team wants to organise a match against David Benavides to unify the championship belts.
«Oleksandr is aiming to return to the heavyweight division in 2027 and become the undisputed champion once again», said Lapin.
A team representative explained that the first heavyweight division remains a natural weight class Usyk. Moving up to the super-heavyweight division was, at the time, a new sporting challenge for the Ukrainian, and now he wants to return to the division where he first became the undisputed champion.
Lapin also suggested that 2027 could mark the final stage of Usyk’s career. According to the team’s plans, the Ukrainian may to fight two title bouts and retire from professional boxing, once again holding all the major titles.
However, there are currently no specific dates for the matches or signed contracts.
Who is David Benavides and what titles does he hold?
David Benavides, a 29-year-old American, remains undefeated in the professional ring. He has 32 wins to his name, 26 of which were by knockout.
In May 2026, Benavides won Hilberto Ramírez by technical knockout in the sixth round and won the WBA and WBO cruiserweight championship belts.
The American’s next bout is scheduled for 5 December 2026. At the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, he will face a Polish boxer by Michał Czeslak, the reigning WBC champion.
Three titles will be on the line: the WBA, WBO and WBC. If Benavides wins, he will be able to unify three of the division’s four major belts.
At the same time, the American is also considering a bout against the Australian Jay Opetaia. This could affect the timing of a potential bout with Usyk.
How Usyk became the undisputed champion in two weight divisions
Oleksandr Usyk has already achieved the status of undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight division. In July 2018, he defeated a Russian Murata Gassieva in the final of the World Boxing Super Series and unified all four major titles.
In November of that same year, the Ukrainian successfully defended his title by knocking out the British fighter Tony Bellew in the eighth round. After that, Usyk moved up to the heavyweight division.
In the heavyweight division, he also became undisputed world champion on two occasions, cementing his place amongst the most successful boxers of our time.
The Ukrainian fought his last bout on 23 May 2026 near the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. On that occasion, Usyk defeated a Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven by technical knockout in the eleventh round and successfully defended his championship titles.
At the end of June, Usyk vacated his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles. However, he retained his title as champion in *The Ring* magazine.
When might the Usyk v Benavides fight take place?
The Ukrainian’s team is targeting 2027, although the organisation of the fight will depend on several factors. First and foremost, Usyk must be given the opportunity to challenge for the IBF title, whilst Benavidez needs to decide on his future title defences.
The outcome of the American’s December bout against Michał Czeslak.
As of 31 October 2026, the Usyk v Benavides fight remains a plan rather than an officially agreed bout. The parties have not announced the date, venue or financial terms. The next significant step will be Benavidez’s bout against Ceslak on 5 December, after which the prospects for a unification bout may become clearer.
