David Benavidez Rejects Usyk Fight, Says He’s “Not Ready” For Heavyweight Transfer

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David Benavidez says a combat towards unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk isn’t one thing he’s ready to pursue proper now, regardless of reported curiosity from Turki Alalshikh in making the matchup.

Benavidez not too long ago captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles with a sixth-round stoppage of Gilberto Ramirez, changing into a three-weight world champion. While some followers instantly started discussing a future transfer to heavyweight, Benavidez made it clear that he intends to stay at cruiserweight for the foreseeable future.

Asked about the opportunity of going through Usyk, Benavidez revealed that Alalshikh had explored the concept by members of his unit.
“[Alalshikh] didn’t talk to me directly, [but] he was talking to the people around me and said he wanted to make that fight,” mentioned Benavidez to Luis Parra. “But truthfully, I’ve quite a lot of respect for Usyk, and I’m not prepared for that proper now.
“If he came down to cruiserweight, then yeah, we could fight at cruiserweight. But I’m not moving up.”
The feedback recommend Benavidez believes he nonetheless has work to do earlier than contemplating a soar to heavyweight, even after a powerful debut at cruiserweight towards Ramirez.

Instead, Benavidez seems targeted on unifying the cruiserweight division. He efficiently petitioned the WBC to put in him as obligatory challenger and is reportedly negotiating a three-belt unification combat towards WBC champion Noel Mikaelian.
Usyk, in the meantime, has his personal choices to make. The WBC not too long ago ordered him to defend his heavyweight title towards interim champion Agit Kabayel. If that combat doesn’t occur, Usyk could possibly be pressured to vacate the belt.
Benavidez is staying in his lane at cruiserweight and leaving any discuss of a showdown with Usyk for an additional day.

Robert Segal is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with greater than a decade of expertise overlaying combat information, previews, and evaluation. Known for his easy reporting and ringside perspective, he delivers authoritative protection of champions, contenders, and rising expertise worldwide.

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Categories David Benavidez, Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing News 24 » David Benavidez » David Benavidez Rejects Usyk Fight, Says He’s “Not Ready” For Heavyweight MoveLast Updated on 2026/06/22 at 7:51 PM