Usyk eyes cruiserweight comeback against Gatton's Nyika
Usyk plans to return to cruiserweight and pursue the vacant IBF title, with David Nyika as the mandatory contender.
Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian (25-0), dominated heavyweight for five years, beating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice. He's now 39 and wants one final act: sweep the cruiserweight belts again.
Usyk's path runs through the vacant IBF title first, then a clash with WBO and WBA champion David Benavidez. David Nyika, a New Zealand Olympian, is the IBF's number-one ranked cruiserweight.
He trains in rural Gatton under coach Noel Thornberry, who joked he'd welcome Usyk to fight there. A title fight is on hold while the IBF sorts a legal dispute with fellow Queensland boxer Jai Opetaia.
History warns against comebacks: fighters returning down in weight often struggle.
Why it mattersA dominant undefeated champion returning to a lower division is rare. Usyk's path now runs through a young boxer in regional Queensland.
