He is not your typical heavyweight. But he ticks all the boxes—technical fighter, able to hunt down larger and tougher opponents, and ability to adapt. That’s what Oleksandr Usyk is about. Now, after leaving Tyson Fury in dust for a second time, he is all alone at the top of the heavyweight division mountain. The question of what’s next for him is already being pushed and asked in the fan circles, and there is an unusual consideration—him going back to cruiserweight.

Before the Ukrainian champion took on ‘The Gypsy King,’ he had an amusing confession. He told Sky Sports, “I’ll try and go back to cruiserweight again. Yeah, I will try.” But is it worth the risk? Should he do it? We might not agree with it.

Oleksandr Usyk: legacy set in stone

Let’s list down some of Usyk’s accolades to you. He is the first undisputed heavyweight champion this century. First to hand Fury a defeat. The first fighter to become undisputed in both cruiserweight and heavyweight since Evander Holyfield in 1990. What’s more? You should have a look at his resume. The 23-0 record holder’s list of victims includes Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora, and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk has achieved what’s all there to achieve in the heavyweight division. His exploits at heavyweight are a testament to his skills, boxing prowess, adaptability, and overall craft. And he did it against the absolute best that the division had to offer. Even if ‘The Cat’ decides to hang up his gloves right now, he is sure to go down as one of the greatest of all time. Mind you, we didn’t even throw in his amateur boxing career titles, which include a World Championship and an Olympic gold—both at the heavyweight. Now, when you won it all at a certain division, why would you go a division down?

Unfinished business at heavyweight

The only reason the Simferopol stays active is to give Dubois, 27, a shot at a title and clinch back his IBF title. Another win against ‘Triple D’ will allow him to reclaim his undisputed throne. Is there a bigger incentive than this? We don’t think so. That’s not only it.

If there has been any controversy or any fighter who can come to Usyk’s face and claim that he couldn’t defeat him clean is Dubois. The British boxer’s hotly debated low blow on Usyk is still talked about today, and many have wondered whether it could have ended Usyk’s streak. However, many tend to forget how Usyk dominated every minute of the fight, eventually resulting in a KO win for him. But he surely didn’t like how Dubois had crashed his festivities when he defeated Usyk a second time. This fight is there to be made and the most logical step for him next. So, is there anything that lies at cruiserweight for the two-time undisputed champion?

Should the cruiserweight even be in Oleksandr Usyk’s plans?

Heavyweights have always been the fulcrum of the sweet science. Most of your favorite fighters or legends of the sport have been heavyweights only. Whether you pick Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson. In addition, the rewards are higher there. Usyk himself banked almost $150 million in his last two fights against Fury. Can you have a look at the cruiserweight division’s landscape and pick one name who can match the likes of Fury or Joshua, both in stature and as a crowd puller? You will have a hard time doing that.

What’s there to achieve in a division, which he has already wiped out in 2018? The unified champion has already defeated the likes of Tony Bellew, Murat Gassiev, and Mairis Briedis. Currently, there are three fighters, who hold the gold at 200. Practically, he would need at least 3 fights to unify the titles and become undisputed again. Fighting a one-off fight at 200 or fighting 3 fights for an undisputed title doesn’t make sense through any lens you put on.

Even if we assume that there are enough challenges and allure for Usyk to go back to cruiserweight, there are some practical concerns. Will his body, as he turns 38 next month, be able to withstand the vagaries of the gruesome weight-cutting process? Fighters tend to go up in weight classes as they age. Doing the reverse will not only put his health at risk, but it also might result in him losing his now-coveted unblemished record.

With Usyk already writing his name in the history books, he doesn’t need a downgrade—an endeavor at cruiserweight. But he has done enough to have his say, and can do whatever he wants. However, he shouldn’t taint his legacy.