Oleksandr Usyk Manager Calls David Benavidez “Interesting Option”

Sergey Lapin says potential fight would attract major interest as Usyk plans next bouts

Oleksandr Usyk’s manager Sergey Lapin has identified David Benavidez as a possible future opponent. Lapin said the matchup would attract significant interest from fans.

Lapin said that Benavidez as speculation continues about the unbeaten light heavyweight champion eventually moving to heavyweight.

‼️ @usykaa‘s manager Sergey Lapin tells us @Benavidez300 is an “interesting option” for him: “It could be a very interesting fight and definitely one that would attract a lot of attention from fans worldwide… It’s definitely an interesting option for Oleksandr.” pic.twitter.com/fy4uGWNXbP

— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) May 7, 2026

The comments surfaced the same day reports circulated that negotiations for a light heavyweight unification between Benavidez and Dmitry Bivol were running into financial issues.

Benavidez has already spoken publicly about eventually testing himself at heavyweight, but Usyk’s immediate future appears focused elsewhere.

The unified heavyweight champion previously outlined a three-fight plan before retirement that included:

• Rico Verhoeven
• the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois
• and a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury

That makes a Benavidez fight more speculative than immediate at this stage, especially with Usyk approaching 40 and seemingly operating on a limited timetable before retirement.

Lapin’s comments are notable because they publicly acknowledge Benavidez as a serious enough name to enter the conversation around Usyk’s remaining fights.

Whether anything develops may ultimately depend on Saudi interest and whether Turki Alalshikh sees the matchup as a worthwhile event to pursue in the current heavyweight landscape.

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