Usyk eyes 'final chapter' at cruiserweight against Benavidez

Heavyweight superstar Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing a return to cruiserweight to fight David Benavidez before retiring from boxing, says his adviser Sergey Lapin.

The 39-year-old former undisputed heavyweight champion last fought in May, when he earned a gritty win over Rico Verhoeven before vacating his titles.

Usyk said he wanted a "last dance" in boxing, which was expected to be at heavyweight, but Lapin says the Ukrainian is instead planning to move down a division.

He says Usyk wants to fight for a vacant cruiserweight world title before setting up a unification bout against undefeated American Benavidez.

"Oleksandr aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027 and become undisputed again," Lapin said.