Arabic version: نييكا يظهر في طريق أوسيك نحو وزن الكروزر

According to ABC News, Oleksandr Usyk’s proposed return to cruiserweight could put him on a path to face David Nyika, the New Zealand Olympian who trains in Gatton, Queensland. Usyk, 25-0, previously unified the cruiserweight division before defeating heavyweight opponents Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice over the past five years.

The 39-year-old Ukrainian wants to collect cruiserweight belts again, beginning with the vacant IBF title before pursuing WBO and WBA champion David Benavidez, who is 32-0. Benavidez is scheduled to fight Michal Cieslak for the WBC belt next month. Nyika is the IBF’s top-ranked fighter, but a possible title bout has been delayed while the organisation’s legal dispute with Queensland-based champion Jai Opetaia is resolved.

Opetaia knocked out Nyika in January 2025 to retain the IBF and The Ring belts. His IBF status was later stripped after he debuted for Zuffa Boxing this year. Opetaia is considering a heavyweight appearance against Deontay Wilder next month, followed by a possible unification fight with Benavidez next May. He could regain the IBF title through the court dispute and seek a meeting with Usyk, whom he has wanted to fight since the 2012 London Olympics.

Nyika would remain the mandatory opponent and could seek step-aside money if an Opetaia-Usyk contest were arranged. Nyika’s trainer, Noel Thornberry, said his camp had contacted Usyk’s management and that Nyika would accept the opportunity “in a heartbeat.” Thornberry, who has staged fight nights at Gatton’s Shire Hall, joked that Saudi backer Turki Alalshikh could help fund an upgrade to the venue. He also questioned how Usyk would fare after moving down in weight, saying: “So let’s see.”