Oleksandr Usyk is plotting a dramatic return to the cruiserweight division, with a showdown against David Benavidez on the table.
Two-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi has offered his thoughts on that proposed clash.
Usyk is a three-time undisputed champion, having captured all four cruiserweight titles with an iconic run before moving up to heavyweight and twice claiming the undisputed throne with major wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, all twice.
After relinquishing his three remaining heavyweight belts, it was believed that Usyk would have one more fight in the division before retirement.
However, his team recently unveiled a plan to return to cruiserweight and take on Benavidez for the undisputed cruiserweight crown.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Malignaggi said that, if Usyk is able to return to the 200lb scene and hand Benavidez a first career defeat, he could enter the discussion of being the greatest boxer of all time.
“David Benavidez is ‘The Monster’ now both figuratively and literally at cruiserweight, Benavidez is that surging, momentum-bringing monster.
“If Usyk, after becoming the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight, beating the cruiserweights that he beat in the World Boxing Super Series – those were difficult fights for him; Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev.
“That was a difficult tournament for him to win, that wasn’t just about him being the best cruiserweight in the world, that was about him being the best cruiserweight in the world in a very difficult cruiserweight division. Then, going up the heavyweight and winning the undisputed title in the heavyweight division, as well.
“If he goes back down and beats this boogeyman, who is in his prime right now, are we able to make the argument that Usyk is the greatest?”
Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles and challenges for the WBC strap on December 5 when he faces Michal Cieslak. The IBF belt is vacant.
If he wins, he says he will honour his word to face Jai Opetaia next May before then targeting Usyk.
