Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed world heavyweight champion, is contemplating a return to the cruiserweight division after his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury. This announcement comes after Usyk’s victory over Fury in May, where he added the WBC belt to his collection of WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, making him the first undisputed world heavyweight champion in nearly 25 years.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer is set to face Fury for a second time in Riyadh on December 21. However, Usyk has hinted that this might be his last fight in the heavyweight division, expressing a desire to switch back to cruiserweight.
In a recent interview on the “3 Knockdown Rule” podcast, Usyk shared his plans: “I think maybe after the rematch, I am going to go down in weight to cruiserweight. I want more fights at cruiserweight.” His manager, Egis Klimas, confirmed this possibility, stating, “Maybe we go back down to cruiserweight. We spoke about it yesterday, to get undisputed for a second time in the cruiserweight division.”
Usyk explained his reasoning, mentioning the challenges he faces maintaining his weight as a heavyweight. “Maybe it is my plan because when I start to prepare for my training camp as a heavyweight, I have to eat all the time. For me, it’s hard, I don’t like it,” he added.
Usyk initially moved to the heavyweight division in 2019 after successfully unifying the cruiserweight division. His undefeated record extended to 22 wins with notable victories against heavyweight contenders such as Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua (twice), Derek Chisora, and Chaz Witherspoon. His recent triumph over Fury solidified his position as one of the top fighters in the sport.
This potential move back to cruiserweight could offer fresh opportunities and challenges for Usyk as he aims to become the undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division once again.
As Usyk prepares for his highly anticipated rematch with Fury, the boxing world awaits to see if he will indeed make this significant transition. His decision could reshape the landscape of both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions, promising exciting bouts and new rivalries for boxing fans worldwide.
