Three-time undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk will return to his native Ukraine to promote his first show in nearly five years.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) staged two events under his Usyk 17 banner in 2020 and 2021 in Lesniki and Kyiv. Due to his own boxing career, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in his homeland, he was forced to pause his promotional outfit.
The event will take place at Equides Club in Lisniki, just outside Kyiv on Mar. 21 and will air live on DAZN.
Usyk said in a statement to ESPN: “These fighters will be young, promising fighters from Ukraine and we’ll help these guys reach their goals. Everything that depends on us, we’ll do for the growth of new champions in our country.
“The renewed promotion aims to redefine the traditional boxing method by focusing not only on organizing fights, but on athletes as personalities and long-term brands.”
Light heavyweight contender Daniel Lapin will headline the card against an opponent yet to be named.
A 6-foot-6 southpaw from Kyiv, Lapin (12-0, 4 KOs), is ranked in the top-15 by the IBF, WBA, and WBO and comes off a close majority decision victory against Englishman Lewis Edmondson on the Usyk–Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley Stadium last July.
Highly regarded middleweight Oleksandr Khyzhniak will make his professional debut after signing promotional terms with Usyk 17.
The 30-year-old from Poltava enjoyed an illustrious amateur career, including a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, a silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games, and a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. An opponent is expected to be announced in the coming days.
The card will also feature a large number of Ukrainian amateur fighters transitioning to the professional ranks in association with the Ukraine Boxing Federation (UBF).
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