Oleksandr Usyk has teased a sensational move back to cruiserweight after his rematch with Tyson Fury.
Usyk won the undisputed heavyweight championship when he beat Fury by split decision in Saudi Arabia last month, almost six years on from claiming the undisputed cruiserweight crown.
The Ukrainian is locked into a two-fight deal with ‘The Gypsy King’ with the rematch set to be staged on December 21 in Riyadh.
The 37-year-old, who became the first man since Evander Holyfield to secure the undisputed championship at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, admits he is planning to return to his former division in an attempt to unify all the belts again.
“I think maybe after the rematch, I am going to go down in weight to cruiserweight,” Usyk told the 3 Knockdown Rule Podcast.
“I want more [fights at] cruiserweight.
“Maybe I can be undisputed for a second time in the cruiserweight division, it’s my plan.
“When I start to prepare for my training camp [as a heavyweight], I have to eat all the time.
“For me it’s hard, I don’t like it.”
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The titles are currently scattered at cruiserweight with WBO champion, Chris Billam-Smith defending his strap against Richard Riakporhe in a rematch on June 15, whilst Jai Opetaia [IBF], Gilberto Ramirez [WBA] and Noel Mikaelian [WBC] lay claim to the other belts.
Usyk was expected to be stripped of his IBF crown after beating Fury, but has requested an exception to enable the belt to be on the line for the rematch.
The IBF mandatory is long overdue and Daniel Dubois cemented himself as the IBF interim heavyweight champion with an eighth round stoppage over Filip Hrgovic last Saturday.
Should the Ukrainian be forced to relinquish his belt, Dubois will be elevated to full champion amid a likely all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
