Oleksandr Usyk suggested a return to cruiserweight (Image: Getty)
After dethroning the previously-undefeated lineal heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Tyson Fury, undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, is considering an unexpected return to the cruiserweight division.
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In May, the highly-anticipated bout between Usyk and Fury took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — the fight aimed to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. After a slow start, Usyk dramatically turned the tide in the ninth round by scoring a knockout over Fury, who held the WBC and lineal world titles entering the fight. After the final bell, the fight went to the judges' scorecards, resulting in a split-decision victory for Usyk.
Two judges scored the fight in favor of Usyk [115-112], [114-113], while the third judge had it for Fury [114-113]. The victory established Usyk as the undisputed heavyweight champion, marking a historic moment in boxing history.
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Usyk defeated Fury by split decison (Image: Getty)
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Due to a rematch clause, Usyk is set to face Fury again in late December, also in Saudi Arabia. During a recent appearance on the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, Usyk and his manager, Egis Klimas, hinted at the possibility of the champion returning to the cruiserweight division, where he reigned as a formidable force for over a decade.
"I think maybe after the rematch, I am going to go down in weight to cruiserweight. I want more (fights at) cruiserweight," said Usyk, a statement that echoes his past dominance in the division. Klimas then followed up with the message, saying that the plan was to return to the division and attempt to become an undisputed champion once again, but in his own division.
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Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight since 1999 (Image: Getty)
Since claiming the heavyweight crowd, the cruiserweight division has seen its major titles spread across new challengers. The IBF title is currently vacant, while Chris Billam-Smith holds the WBO title, Gilberto Ramirez claims the WBA title, and Norair Mikaelian is the reigning WBC champion. The potential return of Usyk to the cruiserweight division would stir up the current titleholders and potentially set the stage for high-stakes unification bouts, a prospect that is sure to ignite excitement among boxing enthusiasts.
Billam-Smith is scheduled to defend his WBO cruiserweight title for the second time on June 15, facing Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park in London, England. The matchup carries additional intrigue as Riakporhe handed Billam-Smith the only loss on his 19-1 record 2019, winning by a split decision to capture the WBA inter-continental cruiserweight championship.
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The upcoming bout offers Billam-Smith a chance to avenge his sole defeat and solidify his status as a top contender in the cruiserweight division. At the same time, Riakporhe aims to repeat his previous success and claim the WBO title. The Ring ranks Billam-Smith as the top-ranked fighter in the division, emerging as a favorite to welcome Usyk back to the division if he wins his upcoming matchup. British boxer Lawrence Okolie also offered his name as a potential Usyk opponent following Deonatay Wilder being knocked out by Zhilei Zhang on June 1st.
“I feel like everyone else in Britain has had their shot. I want to go and test it, said Okolie. " He’s sensational [and] very talented, but I have attributes that he hasn’t had to box against for a long time, like speed. I’d love that, if he feels like being three-weight world champion let’s do it.”
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