Former two-time cruiserweight world champion Steve Ormain Cunningham believes David Benavidez has demonstrated the skill necessary to move up and challenge Oleksandr Usyk. In an exclusive discussion with World Boxing News, Steve Cunningham praised the recent performance of David Benavidez, who has successfully transitioned between weight classes while maintaining his dominance. The endorsement follows a period where David Benavidez has solidified his standing among boxing’s elite, currently holding the Unified WBA (Super version) and WBO Cruiserweight titles.
The prospect of David Benavidez facing Oleksandr Usyk has gathered momentum following the American’s recent victory over Gilberto Ramirez. Steve Cunningham noted that David Benavidez is “seeking greatness dominance and great matchups,” describing his move through the divisions as “phenomenal.” This sentiment is shared by several industry figures, including trainer Robert Garcia and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., who both see the 29-year-old as a legitimate threat to the unified heavyweight champion.
Steve Cunningham on David Benavidez’s challenge to Oleksandr Usyk
Steve Cunningham, known as “USS” for his service in the U.S. Navy, is uniquely qualified to assess such a move, having successfully transitioned from cruiserweight to heavyweight himself. He dismissed post-fight debates regarding David Benavidez’s use of his elbows during the Gilberto Ramirez bout, stating he was simply “glad they both are healthy.” For Steve Cunningham, the focus remains on the “dream matchup” of skill that a clash with Oleksandr Usyk would provide.
Oleksandr Usyk, currently 39 years old, recently vacated his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles in June 2026 to focus on his “Last Dance.” The Ukrainian last fought in May 2026, where he stopped Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round. While Usyk-Rico Egypt bout details highlighted the champion’s global reach, the nature of that performance has led some observers to question his ironclad grip on the division as he nears the end of his career.
Roy Jones Jr predicts a 50-50 clash of styles
Roy Jones Jr., who famously won titles from middleweight through to heavyweight, believes David Benavidez possesses the exact style required to trouble the Ukrainian master. “The smartest thing for him to do is go try to fight Usyk,” Roy Jones Jr. stated. He argued that David Benavidez has a style that can “make it ugly” for Oleksandr Usyk, noting that if David Benavidez can take the champion’s punch, it becomes a 50-50 fight in his opinion.
Roy Jones Jr. also reflected on Oleksandr Usyk’s recent outing against Rico Verhoeven, suggesting that the champion might have been in serious trouble against a different caliber of opponent. “Imagine if that would have been David Benavidez on that night, Usyk would have had his first loss,” said Roy Jones Jr. This analysis aligns with views from trainer Robert Garcia, who suggested that David Benavidez could defeat Oleksandr Usyk within the next two years as the champion continues to age.
Jose Benavidez Sr eyes the ultimate challenge
The father and trainer of the unified cruiserweight champion, Jose Benavidez Sr., has also acknowledged the scale of the task. He described a potential bout with Oleksandr Usyk as “something like out of this world” and “fuckin’ crazy.” However, he believes that Oleksandr Usyk’s age — he will be 40 years old in 2027 — makes it a viable fight to pursue. The physical disparity might not be as wide as expected, given that Oleksandr Usyk’s heaviest weight in the heavyweight division has never exceeded 227¼ lbs.
Political interest in the matchup is already mounting. Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s top power broker in boxing, has reportedly expressed a desire to stage a bout between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Usyk in 2027. While boxing fans wait for news on other major clashes, such as how the Fury-Joshua bout penciled in for late 2026 might shake up the division, the Benavidez camp appears focused on the unique tactical puzzle presented by the former undisputed cruiserweight king.
David Benavidez and the climb toward heavyweight legacy
David Benavidez maintains a perfect professional record of 32-0 with 26 KOs. His recent run has seen him claim the WBA Light Heavyweight title (Regular version) in February 2026 before securing his current cruiserweight honors in May 2026. This rapid ascent through the weight classes has moved him up the WBN pound-for-pound list, placing him firmly in the conversation alongside the sport’s greatest active technicians.
The path to a heavyweight debut involves navigating a landscape of aging champions and hungry contenders. Oleksandr Usyk currently has a record of 25-0 with 16 KOs, but his advisor, Sergey Lapin, has indicated the champion is open to “serious commercial offers” for his final fights. Whether David Benavidez can bridge the gap in weight and experience remains the central question for analysts like Steve Cunningham, who believe the American’s conditioning and relentless output make it a fight worth seeing.
Career milestones and championship record
- David Benavidez holds a professional record of 32-0 with 26 KOs as of July 2026.
- He secured the Unified WBA (Super version) and WBO Cruiserweight titles in May 2026.
- He has held the WBA Light Heavyweight title (Regular version) since February 2026.
- Oleksandr Usyk has held unified titles across two weight divisions and remains undefeated in 25 fights.
Future outlook for the heavyweight landscape
The roadmap for the heavyweight division is currently centered on Oleksandr Usyk’s final appearances. While reports from Eddie Hearn suggest the Ukrainian will fight Deontay Wilder next, the potential for a 2027 clash with David Benavidez continues to loom. Robert Garcia noted that because Oleksandr Usyk is nearly 40, the timing could perfectly favor the younger David Benavidez if the fight is made within a two-year window.
And while the boxing world is often slowed by bureaucracy, the clear interest from Saudi investors could accelerate the timeline for this specific matchup. Steve Cunningham’s vocal support of David Benavidez serves as a reminder that the “Mexican Monster” has already checked every box in the lower divisions. For a fighter seeking dominance, the heavyweight crown is the final frontier, and Oleksandr Usyk represents the ultimate test of that ambition.
