OLEKSANDR USYK has ripped up his retirement plans as he plots a sensational return to cruiserweight for two final fights
The undefeated Ukrainian, 39, had previously planned just one farewell bout before hanging up his gloves.
But Usyk has now changed his mind and wants to return to the division where he first conquered the world in 2027.
His ambitious plan would see him first challenge for the vacant IBF cruiserweight world title.
And he then wants a blockbuster showdown with David Benavidez to reclaim all four belts and retire as undisputed champion once again.
Benavidez, 29, has already called out Usyk and revealed discussions have taken place over a potential showdown at cruiserweight.
Now Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin has confirmed the Ukrainian is plotting one final assault on boxing history.
Lapin told Casinostugan: “Oleksandr aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027 and become undisputed again.
“First, we are looking at a fight for a vacant world title.
“Then, the goal is to face David Benavidez to unify all the belts and become undisputed cruiserweight champion.”
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There's a massive year of boxing ahead!
It has already been a blockbuster year inside the ring, and it is not going to stop anytime soon!
All eyes are focused on the ‘Battle of Britain’ between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, with the pair set to finally settle their decade-long rivalry in December.
But before that, Canelo Alvarez returns against Christian Mbili on Halloween.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
October
- Sat 31 – Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbili – DAZN
November
- Sat 7 – Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson 2 – DAZN
- Sat 7 – Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke – Sky Sports
- Sat 28 – Agit Kabayel vs Nelson Hysa – DAZN
December
- Fri 11 – Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua – Netflix
- Sat 12 – Dmitry Bivol vs Callum Smith – DAZN
- Sat 19 – Anthony Cacace vs Nick Ball – DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
And Lapin insists the two-fight mission would bring the curtain down on one of boxing’s greatest careers.
He added: “We see 2027 as the final chapter of his career. He wants to finish as undisputed champion in the division where he first won all the belts.”
Usyk first became undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018, defeating Murat Gassiev in Moscow to capture all four major world titles.
He then stepped up to heavyweight in 2019 before dethroning Anthony Joshua two years later to become a two-weight world champion.
And the Ukrainian completed his remarkable rise in 2024, beating Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Usyk achieved the feat again in July 2025, knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight king.
Now the Olympic gold medallist is targeting a fourth undisputed reign as he looks to end his legendary career back where his world-title success began.
But Benavidez presents a dangerous final obstacle, with the unbeaten American holding the WBA and WBO cruiserweight belts ahead of a December 5 unification showdown with WBC champion Michal Cieslak.
Lapin explained: “If we’re going to do this, we need to take a comprehensive approach. The first fight for a world title, the second for the undisputed championship.”
And he believes dropping back down in weight would be the perfect farewell, adding: “Usyk has never been a natural heavyweight.
“Cruiserweight is his home. He loves a challenge, so he moved up, cleaned out the heavyweight division, and now he is coming home to restore order.”