--- title: "Usyk May Return to Cruiserweight for Unification Bout with Benavidez: Team Outlines Scenario" description: "According to Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger, Oleksandr Usyk may return to cruiserweight, targeting a vacant IBF title first, followed by an unification bout with David Benavidez in 2027." date: 2026-10-30T21:15:59.112Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/usyk-return-cruiserweight-benavidez-fight tags: [boxing, aleksandr-usik, david-benavidez, cruiserweight, ibf, wba, wbo] author: "Dmitriy Shatolov" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Usyk May Return to Cruiserweight for Unification Bout with Benavidez: Team Outlines Scenario ![Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk giving an interview in a burgundy sports jacket](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/30/usik-vozvrashchaetsya-v-kruzerveyt-radi-boya-s-benavidezem/usik-vozvrashchaetsya-v-kruzerveyt-radi-boya-s-benavidezem-1.webp) ## Key Points - Usyk's team, via Ring Magazine insider, outlined a potential return of the Ukrainian to cruiserweight. - The discussed scenario involves fighting for the vacant IBF title first, followed by an unification bout with David Benavidez. - Benavidez is the reigning WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion. - The potential Usyk vs. Benavidez fight could take place in 2027. - Currently, these are the team's plans rather than an officially agreed-upon bout. Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly on the verge of changing weight divisions for a high-profile showdown with American David Benavidez. The Ukrainian boxer's team has already outlined a potential scenario for the final stage of his career, which could return him to the division where he previously achieved historic success. Information regarding these plans emerged in the media, citing Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger. ### Conversation in Riyadh: What the Team Director Shared According to [Sport RBC.UA](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/boxing/usik-povertaetsya-kruzerveyt-zaradi-boyu-1793394558.html), journalist Mike Coppinger spoke with Usyk's team director, Sergey Lapin, in Riyadh. During the conversation, the Ukrainian boxer's representative discussed plans to return to the cruiserweight division. This exact conversation became the starting point for publications about a potential new chapter in the champion's career. ### Scenario: Vacant IBF Title First, Then Unification According to talkSPORT, Usyk could first contend for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title and then set his sights on an unification bout with David Benavidez. Such a scenario, sources estimate, would allow the Ukrainian to once again contend for the undisputed world championship in this weight class. It is important to emphasize that at this stage, these are the team's plans rather than an officially agreed-upon fight. ### Return to the Division of Historic Success Moving back to cruiserweight would mark a return to the division where the Ukrainian already achieved historic results. In 2018, Usyk became the undisputed world champion by defeating Russia's Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series final. Afterward, the Ukrainian moved up to heavyweight, where, according to sources, he also collected all the major championship belts. Now, he may attempt to repeat this achievement after returning to a lighter weight class. ### Benavidez and Potential Bout Timeline David Benavidez, meanwhile, is one of the leading cruiserweight boxers and holds the WBA and WBO championship titles. Usyk's potential fight with the American could reportedly take place in 2027. Thus, if this scenario materializes, fans could witness an unification clash between the division's two strongest competitors. ### Caveats: Plans, Not an Agreement The editorial team notes that currently this information relies on statements from team representatives and insider data, rather than an official bout announcement. Neither the date, venue, nor the status of the match as an officially agreed contest has been confirmed. Until a formal announcement is made by the promotion and boxing organizations, all of the above should be regarded as the intentions and plans of the parties. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Усик возвращается в крузервейт ради боя с Бенавидесом: Лапин анонсировал громкий камбек](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/boxing/usik-povertaetsya-kruzerveyt-zaradi-boyu-1793394558.html) - Primary source: Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger, conversation with Usyk's team director Sergey Lapin in Riyadh; talkSPORT data on the scenario (vacant IBF, then unification with Benavidez). The fight is not officially announced—these are team plans. Facts from 2018 (Gassiev, WBSS) and Benavidez's titles (WBA, WBO) are cited from the source text. ## FAQ ### Is the Usyk vs. Benavidez fight officially announced? No. According to available data, these are Usyk's team plans rather than an officially agreed-upon match. There is no formal announcement from the promotion or boxing organizations yet. ### What return scenario for Usyk is being discussed? According to talkSPORT, Usyk could first fight for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title and then move on to an unification bout with David Benavidez, allowing him to contend for undisputed status again. ### When might the potential fight take place? According to available information, the potential bout between Usyk and Benavidez could happen in 2027. ### What titles does David Benavidez hold? Benavidez is a leading cruiserweight boxer and holds the WBA and WBO championship titles.