Oleksandr Usyk Targets Cruiserweight Return Against Top Contender David Nyika

Oleksandr Usyk (25-0) plans to return to the cruiserweight division to sweep the belts, starting with the vacant IBF title currently pursued by top-ranked David Nyika.

Oleksandr Usyk (25-0) has announced plans to return to the cruiserweight division to reclaim all major belts, identifying the vacant IBF title as his primary target. The 39-year-old Ukrainian previously unified the division before moving to heavyweight, where he defeated Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois twice over the last five years. Following the IBF pursuit, Usyk aims for a unification bout against current WBO and WBA champion David Benavidez (32-0), who is scheduled to face Michal Cieslak for the WBC belt next month.

David Nyika, the IBF's No. 1-ranked fighter based in Gatton, Queensland, stands as the mandatory opponent for the vacant strap. Nyika’s trainer, Noel Thornberry, confirmed interest in the matchup but noted that Nyika would require step-aside compensation if Usyk were to face Jai Opetaia first. Opetaia previously retained the IBF and The Ring belts by knocking out Nyika in January 2025, but the IBF stripped Opetaia of his title following his debut in the Zuffa Boxing league earlier this year.

Opetaia is currently involved in a legal dispute to regain his IBF status while preparing for a heavyweight bout against Deontay Wilder next month. Should he win his legal challenge, Opetaia seeks a unification clash with Benavidez in May 2026. Thornberry has already contacted Usyk’s management regarding a potential fight in Australia, citing historical precedents where fighters like Oscar De La Hoya and Roy Jones Jnr struggled when dropping down in weight classes.