World class trainer and former IBF super-featherweight world champion, Robert Garcia, believes that Oleksandr Usyk’s undefeated streak could soon come to an end, if he accepts a fight with one undefeated champion.
Usyk looked uncharacteristically flat-footed and demotivated in last month’s unorthodox clash with Rico Verhoeven, who came close to achieving one of the greatest upsets in the history of boxing before being controversially stopped in round 11.
Following the Ukrainian’s performance, fans are left debating whether the 39-year-old overlooked Verhoeven or if Father Time has finally caught up with him, with potential fights against the likes of Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma seemingly all the more dangerous off the back of that showing.
At present, it seems as though either a mandatory defence of the WBC title against Kabayel, or a rematch with Verhoeven, is next – an outing that is expected to take place before the end of the year and could prove to be Usyk’s penultimate professional bout.
However, speaking with YSM Sports Media, Garcia believes that three-division conqueror, David Benavidez, who recently captured the unified cruiserweight world titles, would be capable of handing Usyk a first career defeat and should pursue that opportunity.
“I think that he [Benavidez] should go straight into Usyk, now.
“I think that Benavidez beats Usyk, really, for reals bro. I don’t think that I am the only one that thinks that, after Usyk’s last performance, I think that people might [agree]. I know there is a lot of risk and it won’t be easy, but I do believe that Benavidez beats him.”
Whilst a heavyweight move has been mentioned for ‘The Mexican Monster’, it appears as though the 29-year-old will remain at cruiserweight and next take on WBC titleholder, Noel Mikaelian.