Oleksandr Usyk is targeting a shock return to the cruiserweight division at the age of 39, with unified world champion David Benavidez the targeted opponent, and British trainer Dave Coldwell has offered his verdict on the Ukrainian’s decision.
Usyk last fought at 200lbs back in 2018, when he knocked out Tony Bellew to retain his undisputed cruiserweight crown, before moving up to heavyweight and going on to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight ruler.
Since then, no man has been able to follow in Usyk’s footsteps and capture all four cruiserweight titles, but Benavidez is well on his way to doing so, as he challenges for his third cruiserweight strap in just his second outing at the weight next month.
As a result, Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin has detailed a surprising plan for his fighter to drop down in weight and take on ‘The Mexican Monster’, a move which has convinced Coldwell that Usyk may be ‘a little bit nuts’, he told his YouTube channel.
“I am not being funny but that is a sensational fight. It is an indication and a mark of that man because all of the way through his previous cruiserweight career, when he was coming through, he went into everybody’s backyard and he was taking on everybody. He cleaned up the division the hard way.
“For Usyk now, at 39 [years old], to still be wanting to test himself and go in against Benavidez, who is what you would say is every old man’s worst nightmare – that is a tough, tough task and that is a real credit to Usyk because he wants to go straight in at the top level and test himself.
“I think that he is a little bit crazy, I think that he is a little bit nuts.”
Coldwell, who trained Bellew against Usyk, then went on to declare his concerns that Usyk may not be the same fighter that he once was upon his return to the cruiserweight scene.
“Usyk has carried a lot of muscle and he has thickened out since he has gone up to heavyweight. So my worry for him would be getting down to the weight and being able to perform; having the same reactions and being able to be sharp and strong enough and have that energy level.”
