Robert Garcia doubts Oleksandr Usyk will drop to cruiserweight for David Benavidez

The trainer thinks Benavidez wants Usyk a few pounds under his normal weight, but expects Usyk to insist on fighting at whatever weight he comes in at.

Robert Garcia does not believe Oleksandr Usyk will agree to come down to cruiserweight or a catchweight for a fight with David Benavidez.

Speaking in a video interview, the trainer said he thought Benavidez was hoping to get Usyk "a few pounds under what he normally walks around", which would already help him.

"I don't think Usyk will allow, you know, cruiserweight or a catchweight," Garcia said. Putting himself in Usyk's position, he added: "You want to fight me, you're gonna fight me at whatever I come in."

"I don't think he'll agree to get down to cruiserweight at all," Garcia said.

Usyk's adviser, Serhii Lapin, has told The Ring that Usyk plans to return to cruiserweight for his next fight to pursue a super fight with Benavidez. Usyk's last nine fights have taken place at heavyweight, and his last cruiserweight bout was an eighth-round knockout of Tony Bellew in November 2018.

Benavidez fights Michal Cieslak on 5 December to unify three cruiserweight titles.

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