Oleksandr Usyk appears to have held preliminary talks regarding a stunning career-closing mega-fight that could present the legendary Ukrainian with an unprecedented opportunity to become a four-time undisputed champion.
The developments surrounding Usyk’s future come as the generational talent navigates the twilight of an extraordinary career. The Ukrainian southpaw enters this latest chapter fresh off a taxing 11th-round stoppage victory over former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven this past May. In that bout, Usyk successfully defended his heavyweight world titles, though he did so with considerably more difficulty than the vast majority of boxing pundits and fans had anticipated. The grueling encounter provided a stark reminder of the physical toll exacted by elite-level combat sports, prompting a re-evaluation of his immediate goals in the sport.
Demonstrating a decisive approach to his legacy, Usyk subsequently vacated those three heavyweight championship belts the very following month. At the age of 39, he announced that he intends to take part in likely just one more professional bout before officially calling time on a truly illustrious career that has seen him conquer both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions with a rare blend of technical mastery and tactical brilliance.
For a considerable period following his decision to relinquish his heavyweight straps, that anticipated "last dance" appeared destined to take place against hard-hitting former WBC champion Deontay Wilder. The prospective matchup captured the imagination of the combat sports public, offering a clash of styles between Usyk’s sublime pugilistic craftsmanship and Wilder’s concussive, division-altering right hand. However, as negotiations evolved and the landscape of the heavyweight division shifted, the pair ultimately went their separate ways, leaving both fighters to explore alternative opportunities that better aligned with their respective career timelines and promotional ambitions.
Among the alternative scenarios now emerging for Usyk is a fascinating cross-divisional clash with David Benavidez. Benavidez has been making massive waves in his own right, cementing his elite status by becoming a three-division world champion through a devastating sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez this past May.
Benavidez’s championship ambitions remain fierce and multifaceted. Having already claimed the WBO and WBA cruiserweight belts, the hard-charging Mexican-American will next attempt to topple WBC champion Michal Cieslak in a high-stakes showdown scheduled for December 5. Looking even further ahead, the current blueprint for Benavidez maps out a potential blockbuster meeting with Australia’s Jai Opetaia on the lucrative Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2027. Whether that particular encounter will ultimately serve as an undisputed championship bout remains to be seen, as the political and sanctioning landscape of boxing is notoriously fluid.
Regardless of those future calendar projections, Benavidez has openly addressed the possibility of sharing the ring with Usyk, revealing that discussions have already touched upon the logistical framework of a potential bout taking place down at the 200-pound cruiserweight limit rather than up in the heavyweight division.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Fight Hub TV, Benavidez shed light on the nature of the preliminary dialogue surrounding a matchup against the legendary Ukrainian. "We have spoken to Usyk about [him] coming down to cruiserweight. It would be for undisputed, obviously," Benavidez explained.
Highlighting Usyk’s current standing in the sport following his decision to vacate his heavyweight straps, Benavidez added further perspective on the unique stakes involved in a potential cruiserweight showdown. "Right now, he has no belts at heavyweight. He’s the lineal champ, but there’s no belts; he let all the belts go. I think it would be a bigger fight [at 200lbs]. But we’ll see: if they want me to go up to heavyweight, I don’t give a f**k."
For Benavidez to fully realize his dream of capturing the undisputed cruiserweight championship, navigating the complex politics of the governing bodies will be paramount. In addition to his upcoming challenges in the ring, he may well need to eventually confront Jai Opetaia. The Australian standout could potentially be reinstated as the recognized IBF belt-holder depending on the ultimate outcome of his ongoing legal battle and lawsuit against the sanctioning body, an action in which Opetaia has alleged conspiracy regarding promotional and operational dealings.
As the details continue to unfold, Usyk’s final steps in professional boxing remain one of the most compelling storylines in the sport. Whether the Ukrainian maestro decides to test the waters back at cruiserweight for a historic, career-capping quest at undisputed glory, or if alternative avenues materialize before he hangs up his gloves for good, the boxing world watches closely as the future Hall of Famer prepares to write the final chapter of a masterclass career.
