Oleksandr Usyk’s unexpected revelation that he is contemplating a return to the cruiserweight division before concluding his legendary career has sent shockwaves across the boxing world. For former WBO cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith, the potential homecoming of the pound-for-pound icon is not merely an intriguing development—it is a landmark moment that could completely reshape the landscape of the 200-pound weight class.
Usyk’s credentials in professional boxing are virtually unmatched in the modern era. The Ukrainian genius originally established his dominance by becoming the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight, cleaning out the division with a series of masterclass performances on road territory across the globe. Rather than resting on those laurels, Usyk made the perilous leap up to the heavyweight division, where he proceeded to repeat that undisputed feat twice over. Along the way, he conquered the very elite of the sport’s blue-ribbon division, securing historic victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois.
However, recent statements from Usyk’s management team have confirmed that the great Ukrainian is seriously considering dropping back down to cruiserweight before hanging up his gloves for good. The move immediately casts significant doubt over the likelihood of a lucrative trilogy fight against Tyson Fury, while simultaneously injects an unprecedented level of excitement into the 200-pound division.
For Billam-Smith, news of Usyk’s potential return to his original weight class was met with genuine enthusiasm, even if it alters the immediate global hierarchy.
"Probably it’s fair to say it knocks me down a spot in the world rankings!" Billam-Smith admitted in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports. "But it’s also great for the division, a huge name for the division that really probably has been the face of boxing, definitely in terms of achievement."
Usyk vs … Billam-Smith?
Should Usyk formalize his return to the 200-pound weight class, the general expectation within the sport is that he would immediately target the division’s current premier belt-holder: formidable WBA and WBO cruiserweight world champion David Benavidez. A mega-fight between Usyk and Benavidez would instantly become one of the most anticipated events in international boxing.
That potential matchup creates a fascinating domino effect throughout the rest of the weight class. If Benavidez is locked into a high-stakes showdown with Usyk, it removes him from the immediate frame to fight Jai Opetaia, another elite cruiserweight powerhouse.
Opetaia is currently preparing for a dramatic temporary foray into the heavyweight division, where he is scheduled to clash with former world champion Deontay Wilder on December 11 at the Principality Stadium. That blockbuster fight forms part of the massive undercard for the long-awaited showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. However, win or lose against Wilder, Opetaia is expected to return to the cruiserweight ranks shortly thereafter, where he will be in urgent search of a top-tier opponent.
That specific scenario presents Chris Billam-Smith with precisely the opportunity he has been searching for. The British fighter has made no secret of his desire to share the ring with Opetaia, and Usyk’s return may unwittingly clear the runway for that dream fight to become reality.
"That definitely seems more doable now," Billam-Smith explained. "I’m happy about that, because I think Benavidez would beat him and I always wanted to be the first man to beat Opetaia."
The logic behind Billam-Smith’s assessment rests on the strategic reality facing Usyk at this stage of his career. If Usyk felt the need to re-accustom his body to the cruiserweight limit after years of competing at heavyweight, taking an interim tune-up fight against a strong, relentless, come-forward former champion like Billam-Smith might logically make sense.
Yet, Billam-Smith is pragmatic about the business of elite boxing. Usyk has not competed since May, when he survived a grueling and dramatic contest against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven—a fight in which Usyk withstood an incredible effort from Verhoeven before the bout was finally waved off with just seconds remaining in the eleventh round. Despite that layoff, Billam-Smith believes Usyk’s stature means he will skip any intermediate step and head straight into a massive stadium fight against Benavidez.
"I think the level he’s been and the level he’s at in terms of marketable fights, I think he’d go straight into a Benavidez fight, especially at his age now," Billam-Smith said, before adding with a laugh: "I think taking interim fight, especially dangerous ones, against me, he doesn’t need to be doing."
Nevertheless, Billam-Smith continues to dare to dream about his own path to absolute glory. His immediate focus is locked entirely on Saturday night, where he faces a tough assignment against Cheavon Clarke live on Sky Sports. The two fighters shared a tense first fight week face-off ahead of their Zuffa Boxing 12 clash, with European cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley predicting a razor-close encounter between the two contenders on the Toe 2 Toe podcast.
If Billam-Smith emerges victorious against Clarke, a world title showdown with Opetaia could follow rapidly. A victory over Opetaia would propel Billam-Smith straight to the absolute summit of the weight class, laying the groundwork for a eventual showdown with Usyk himself down the line.
"Not next, maybe if he beats Benavidez, I beat Opetaia, that’s a nice little southpaw to warm up with before I go in with Usyk," Billam-Smith remarked cheerfully.
Why is Usyk coming back down?
The prospect of Usyk cutting weight to return to cruiserweight has raised significant questions throughout the boxing community. Why would a fighter who has conquered the sport’s highest peak, secured double undisputed status at heavyweight, and amassed legendary status risk his standing by making a physically demanding drop back down in weight?
Speaking on the Toe 2 Toe podcast, European cruiserweight champion Viddal Riley offered a candid perspective on what he believes is driving the Ukrainian master.
"Challenge. Purely challenge," Riley told Sky Sports. "He keeps hearing: ‘This guy’s a monster, this guy’s a monster’ and then there’s a part of him that just wants to show people: no, he’s not a monster. I’m the guy. I’ve always been the guy."
However, Riley, who believes Usyk’s potential return could completely shake up the division, also issued a stark warning regarding the physiological dangers involved in such a transition. History in combat sports has demonstrated that fighters who move up to heavyweight rarely find it easy to strip away mass and perform effectively upon returning to lower weight classes.
"I think it’s a lot of ego involved and it could backfire. It could backfire," Riley cautioned. "People don’t really go to heavyweight, come back down and look the same. I don’t like to see the greats and the OGs do things like that because you’re letting the goalposts move and trying to keep up when you’ve achieved everything you need to achieve."
Despite those structural concerns, Riley acknowledged that Usyk’s interest in the weight class provides an unprecedented boost for every fighter operating within it. "It’s still good for me and the division because we get spoken about more," he noted.
With the international cruiserweight picture suddenly brimming with narrative twists, all eyes now turn to the ring this weekend to see how the first piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke this Saturday live on Sky Sports.
