Usyk Shows Support for Fellow Ukrainian Boxer After First Knockout Loss

Words of Encouragement for a Ukrainian Fighter

According to Главком: Following a fourth-round knockout defeat at the hands of France's Benjamin Mendes Tapia, Ukrainian boxer Daniel Lapin received a morale boost from none other than Oleksandr Usyk. The bout took place on the undercard of an event headlined by Usyk's own upcoming clash with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

In a post on his Telegram channel, Usyk wrote: 'You’ll still prove what you’re capable of. The journey continues. We move forward.'

This loss to Mendes marked the first professional setback for Lapin. Usyk’s fight against Verhoeven is scheduled to take place around midnight in Giza, Egypt. The IBF has confirmed that Usyk will retain the federation’s title if he beats Verhoeven, but the belt will become vacant in the event of a defeat.

MMA Debut on the Horizon

In other combat sports news, Olympic champion Zhan Beleniuk has secured an opponent for his mixed martial arts debut. The event is set for July 11 at the capital’s Palace of Sports, where Beleniuk will face Haim Gozali.

These developments highlight the growing momentum behind boxing and MMA in Ukraine. Support from established figures like Usyk can serve as a powerful motivator for up-and-coming fighters aiming to make their mark internationally. Anticipation is also building around Usyk’s bout with Verhoeven, which could represent a pivotal moment in the Ukrainian star’s career.

As anticipation builds for Usyk's upcoming showdown, fans are eager to learn more about the event's details and how to catch the action live. The stakes are high for Usyk as he prepares to defend his title against Verhoeven. For everything you need to know about the fight day, including broadcast information, check out the latest updates on Usyk vs Verhoeven.