A more in-depth look into a possible Usyk vs Benavidez fight into the stats and new information about the fight surfacing.
At first when we heard the fight mentioned it seemed not possible but now Usyk’s own team have said there might be interest in the bout at some stage.
Certainly it would be a draw with Benavidez moving up to heavyweight to try to win a world title in a fourth weight class after his win over Gilberto Ramirez on Cinco De Mayo 2026 in Vegas at cruiserweight.
Here’s a look at some knowns in the Usyk vs Benavidez variables at the moment.
Professional Record
- Oleksandr Usyk
- Record: 24-0 (15 KO)
- KO %: 63%
- Record in Title Fights: 12-0, 4 KO
- Accomplishments: Unified heavyweight champion. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion. Defending WBC heavyweight title vs Rico Verhoeven May 23, 2026 at Pyramids of Giza
- David Benavidez
- Record: 32-0 (26 KO)
- KO %: 81.25%
- Record in Title Fights: 4-0, 2 KO major titles; 9-0, 4 KO incl. interim
- Accomplishments: Became three-weight world champion May 2026 after sixth-round TKO of Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez on cruiserweight debut. Unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles. Holds WBC belt at light heavyweight
Fight Styles and Experience
- Division Gap: Talk is of Benavidez vs Usyk at heavyweight. Benavidez weighed 196 3/4 lb last fight; Usyk 227+ 1/2 lb
- Team Interest: Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin said Benavidez is an “interesting option” for Usyk. Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wants Usyk vs Benavidez for heavyweight championship in 2027
- Usyk Timeline: Usyk outlined 3 fight plan before retirement: Rico Verhoeven, winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury trilogy
- Benavidez Position: Trainer Jose Benavidez Sr said Usyk is the only threat to David at 175 and cruiserweight. Roy Jones Jr said Benavidez should “take Usyk while the iron is hot”
Key Physical Comparisons
- Age Difference: Usyk 38 vs Benavidez 29 = 9 year gap
- Height Difference: Usyk 6’3″ vs Benavidez 6’2″ = 1 inch advantage Usyk
- Reach Difference: Usyk 78″ vs Benavidez 74.4″ = 3.6 inch advantage Usyk
- Weight Difference Last Fight: Usyk 227.5 lb vs Benavidez 196.75 lb = 30.75 lb gap
- Power Difference: Benavidez 81.25% KO rate vs Usyk 63%
- Experience: Usyk 24 fights vs Benavidez 32 fights. Usyk 12-0 in title fights vs Benavidez 4-0 major titles
At the end of the day it’s a fight that would capture both boxing fans’ imaginations and the wider sporting public.
Usyk himself has moved from cruiserweight champion to heavyweight champion, something rare done by the likes of Evander Holyfield and David Haye in boxing history.
But going from super-middleweight champion up to heavyweight has never been done — it would be first from Benavidez.
However Roy Jones and Bob Fitzsimmons did go from middleweight all the way up to heavyweight but no one has ever become super-middleweight champion then heavyweight champion.
Not Joe Calzaghe, not James Toney or any super-middleweight in history.
Benavidez vs Usyk is a solid fight but who knows what fights they will be in this year.
