Paulie Malignaggi hails Usyk’s cruiserweight comeback as a chance to become boxing’s greatest

Oleksandr Usyk is planning a dramatic return to the cruiserweight division, with a potential fight against David Benavidez on the horizon.

Two‑division world champion Paulie Malignaggi has shared his thoughts on the possible clash.

Usyk is a three‑time undisputed champion, having captured all four cruiserweight titles in an iconic run before moving up to heavyweight and twice claiming the undisputed crown with notable victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois—each twice.

After vacating his three remaining heavyweight belts, Usyk was expected to fight once more in the heavyweight ranks before retirement.

Nevertheless, his camp has recently proposed a return to the 200‑lb cruiserweight division to pursue the undisputed title against Benavidez.

In a YouTube interview, Malignaggi stated that should Usyk rebound at cruiserweight and hand Benavidez his first career loss, the Ukrainian could enter the conversation as one of boxing’s all‑time greats.

“David Benavidez is ‘The Monster’ now both figuratively and literally at cruiserweight, Benavidez is that surging, momentum‑bringing monster. 

“If Usyk, after becoming the undisputed world champion at cruiserweight, beating the cruiserweights that he beat in the World Boxing Super Series – those were difficult fights for him; Mairis Briedis and Murat Gassiev. 

“That was a difficult tournament for him to win, that wasn’t just about him being the best cruiserweight in the world, that was about him being the best cruiserweight in the world in a very difficult cruiserweight division. Then, going up the heavyweight and winning the undisputed title in the heavyweight division, as well. 

“If he goes back down and beats this boogeyman, who is in his prime right now, are we able to make the argument that Usyk is the greatest?”

Benavidez currently holds the WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles and will challenge for the vacant WBC belt on December 5 against Michal Cieslak, while the IBF title remains unfilled.

Should he secure the victory, he has pledged to face Jai Opetaia in May before setting his sights on a showdown with Usyk.

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