Squaring off against Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) is a dream come true for many boxers in this generation. The four-division champion, who recently achieved undisputed status at super-middleweight, is on the wishlist of many pugilists across the weight classes, including the reigning unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), who is willing to face Canelo at cruiserweight but under one condition- by holding onto his IBF, WBA & WBO belts.
Oleksandr Usyk will fight Canelo at cruiserweight only if he gets to keep his heavyweight belts
Soon after defeating Caleb Plant for the undisputed championship, Canelo expressed his wish to move up the divisions and challenge WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu and the WBC had approved the request. If Canelo succeeds, he will become a five-division world champion.
Usyk, meanwhile, defeated Anthony Joshua via unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on 25th September to clinch the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts and has been on the talks about a rematch with the Briton. However, the 34-year-old is a former undisputed champion at cruiserweight, the first in the division to achieve the feat and is willing to return to 200 to take on Canelo.
However, acquiring undisputed status at heavyweight is also the target for the Ukrainian, for which, he will need to put his titles up against WBC champion Tyson Fury in the future. Regarding the same, Usyk says he will only go down to cruiserweight to face Canelo only if he gets to keep his unified heavyweight championship.
“Yea I can fight him (Canelo) at cruiserweight,” Usyk told Boxinginsider.com in presence of a translator, “The only one thing is that I keep my belts at heavyweight. I go to cruiserweight, fight him then go back to heavyweight. I want to stay at heavyweight.”
However, before he can make a move on Canelo, Usyk will have to face Joshua for the rematch, which is due to take place some time in March or April and as per Matchroom MD Eddie Hean, the fight is expected to take place in the UK.
Highlights:
- Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is willing to face Canelo Alvarez at cruiserweight
- Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, will only fight Canelo if he gets to keep his heavyweight belts
- Canelo, the reigning undisputed super-middlewreight champion, is eager to face WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu
