Oleksandr Usyk wants to retire an undisputed cruiserweight champion as he eyes a mouth-watering showdown with David Benavidez.
Usyk hasn't fought since stopping kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round to defend his unified heavyweight world titles at the Pyramids of Giza in May.
Retirement has been mooted for the Ukrainian, who vacated his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in the aftermath of the Verhoeven fight, but plans are being prepared for Usyk to make a daring return to the cruiserweight division.
Usyk's advisor, Sergey Lapin, has revealed to Casinostugan a two-fight plan that will culminate in an undisputed cruiserweight title showdown with Benavidez, who recently revealed he would love to face Usyk at 200lbs.
“Oleksandr aims to return to cruiserweight in 2027 and become undisputed again," said Lapin. "First, we are looking at a fight for a vacant [IBF] world title.
"Then, the goal is to face David Benavidez to unify all the belts and become undisputed cruiserweight champion.”
Usyk was crowned undisputed champion at cruiserweight before he made the transition to heavyweight where he become a two-time undisputed victor.
Benavidez is currently attempting to emulate the Ukrainian, having won the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles with a sixth round stoppage win over Gilberto Ramirez.
The Mexican Monster encounters Michal Cieslak for the WBC cruiserweight title in December, which if he wins, was supposed to lead to an undisputed clash with Jai Opetaia.
However, with Usyk's intentions have thrown a spanner in the works for the Australian.
Lapin continued: "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.
"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.
"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."
