Oleksandr Usyk plans cruiserweight fight against David Benavidez

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Oleksandr Usyk made an appearance during yesterday’s DAZN broadcast for the Canelo Alvarez vs Chrisitian Mbilli event, and during a segment with Mike Coppinger he confirms his intention to make a cruiserweight return in the coming year for a showdown with David Benavidez. Usyk would also wish his good friend Vasiliy Lomachenko well in his return to the sport, and his anticipation for the upcoming fight between Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. Here’s some of what he had to say below. Usyk on why he wants to fight Benavidez at cruiserweight “Because I cleaned up the heavyweight [division] and back my weight. [Right now I’m weighing] 97, 96 [kg].” On wanting to face Benavidez at his current weight so there’s no excuses “Correct. Because, you know, [there’s a turnover in the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions]. But if I have an opportunity in cruiserweight, I back! It is big fight because Benavidez is a big champion. Me, a little bit, too.” On vacating the heavyweight titles so he could freely pursue the biggest prizefights “Yeah, of course. Listen, when I have opportunity, I take this opportunity. This is life.” On who he thinks win Fury vs AJ “Listen, it’s good the fight. It’s like a 50/50. A lot of fans wait this fight 10 years…because it’s two big stars in the UK. A lot of fans around the world want this fight. Me, too, want this fight. I want watch this fight because it’s like a choice, only one king of UK.” On Lomachenko coming out of retirement “I think I very happy Vasiliy back. I think Vasiliy will take undisputed. I want. God bless.”

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Oleksandr Usyk looks to return to action next year for what could be the most dangerous fight of his career.