Oleksandr Usyk considers moving back to cruiserweight after Tyson Fury rematch

Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight champion, has shocked fans by suggesting that he might return to the cruiserweight division after his highly anticipated rematch with Tyson Fury, scheduled for late this year. Having already conquered the heavyweight division, Usyk now aims to “dominate” the cruiserweight division once again. This announcement has left many fans questioning Usyk’s true motivations for the future.

Usyk – The Heavyweight Champion dreams of dominating the Cruiserweight division again

Usyk has already achieved remarkable success in boxing, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and WBC heavyweight titles after his victory over Tyson Fury in May. However, in a recent podcast interview, Usyk revealed that he might move back to cruiserweight after his bout with Fury in December.

In the podcast, Usyk admitted that he struggles with the demanding diet required to compete at heavyweight. He said he had to eat constantly to maintain weight, and it’s something he does not enjoy. This has led him to seriously consider returning to the cruiserweight division, where he had previously enjoyed tremendous success.

Potential opponents in the Cruiserweight division

If Usyk decides to move back to cruiserweight, he would face some of the current champions in the division, including Gilberto Ramirez (WBA), Noel Mikaelian (WBC), Jai Opetaia (IBF), and Chris Billam-Smith (WBO). These fighters are all currently dominating their respective titles, creating a “no-man’s land” in the cruiserweight division that Usyk could challenge.

• Gilberto Ramirez, the WBA champion, is a former super middleweight champion and has previously challenged Dmitry Bivol for the WBA light heavyweight title.
• Noel Mikaelian, the WBC champion, claimed the title after defeating Ilunga Makabu in a TKO victory.
• Jai Opetaia, the IBF champion, successfully defended his title three times after defeating Mairis Briedis.
• Chris Billam-Smith, the WBO champion, recently defended his title against Lawrence Okolie.

Usyk’s return to cruiserweight would shake up the division and lead to potential blockbuster bouts with these talented fighters.

Does Usyk really want to return to Cruiserweight?

While Usyk has expressed interest in returning to cruiserweight, his promoter, Alex Krassyuk, has stated that Usyk’s current focus is on his fight with Tyson Fury. Krassyuk confirmed that any decision about returning to cruiserweight will be made after the rematch with Fury. He also suggested that Oscar De La Hoya’s comments about Usyk considering a move to cruiserweight may simply be a strategy to promote the fight between Chris Billam-Smith and Gilberto Ramirez.

“The Cat” is targeting the winner of the Chris Billam-Smith vs. Gilberto Ramirez

The upcoming bout between Chris Billam-Smith and Gilberto Ramirez will be one of the most highly anticipated in the cruiserweight division. Billam-Smith, the WBO champion, will face Ramirez, the WBA champion, in a title unification match this weekend. Usyk could potentially face the winner of this fight, adding even more excitement to the already high-stakes matchup.

Conclusion

Oleksandr Usyk’s statement about possibly returning to the cruiserweight division has stirred up excitement in the boxing world. After dominating the heavyweight ranks, Usyk’s potential return to cruiserweight would open up new opportunities for thrilling matchups with some of the division’s best. However, the final decision will depend on the outcome of Usyk’s upcoming fight with Tyson Fury.