Daniel Lapin

Daniel Serhiyovych Lapin is a Ukrainian light heavyweight boxer born on June 18, 1997, in Wrocław, Poland. He stands 6 feet 6 inches. Notably, he is the first fighter to sign with Usyk 17 Promotions, a promotional company founded by world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Although born in Poland, Lapin was raised in Crimea, Ukraine. He began boxing at six, guided by his father, and grew up in a family deeply immersed in the sport. He attended School No. 31 and later graduated from the Crimean Federal University named after Vernadsky. The Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014 disrupted his amateur plans, including his aspirations to compete in the Olympics. This situation prompted him to move to Kyiv, where he started anew under the mentorship of Oleksandr Usyk.

Lapin had a distinguished amateur career, participating in 290 bouts and securing seven Ukrainian national championships. He also won a bronze medal at the European Championships. However, geopolitical tensions during the peak of his amateur career limited his international opportunities.

Turning professional in 2020, Lapin quickly made a name for himself by joining Usyk’s team and training alongside some of the best boxers in the world. He gained attention through his appearances on major fight undercards. In August 2023, he defeated Germany’s Aro Schwartz by sixth-round TKO, winning the vacant IBO Continental light heavyweight title. The following year, in May 2024, he knocked out Octavio Pudivitr in the first round to capture the WBA Continental belt in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In December 2024, Lapin further enhanced his accolades by defeating Dylan Colin unanimously, securing both the IBF International and WBA Continental light heavyweight titles on the undercard of the Usyk-Fury rematch.

Lapin’s journey is closely tied to Oleksandr Usyk. His father was Usyk’s first boxing coach, and his brother, Sergey Lapin, co-founded the “Ready to Fight” platform with Usyk. These connections have profoundly influenced his boxing career and approach to life. After being uprooted from Crimea, Lapin found a new purpose and guidance through his close relationship with Usyk. As he continues to rise in the boxing world, he has expressed a desire to eventually move up in weight and pursue greatness across multiple divisions, much like his mentor.

Daniel Lapin, a stablemate of Oleksandr Usyk, exemplifies the Eastern European boxing style rooted in the traditions of the former Soviet Union. Known for its emphasis on footwork, lateral movement, and guard-breaking combinations, this style is both methodical and devastatingly effective. Lapin’s approach reflects these principles, blending technical precision with strategic adaptability to dominate opponents.

Lapin’s footwork is a key element of his success. Designed to create angles and maintain optimal positioning, it allows him to pick apart his opponents while retreating to safety when necessary. He excels in executing guard-breaking combinations, which disrupt an opponent’s defense and can decisively win rounds in close contests.

A hallmark of Lapin’s style is his mastery of lateral movement and level changes. This enables him to attack a variety of targets, including the obliques, head, body, and even the solar plexus, with remarkable precision. His ability to seamlessly transition between these levels makes him unpredictable and highly effective in breaking down his opponents. Lapin’s pivots are an essential component of his game. Sharp and efficient, they allow him to stay out of harm’s way while creating opportunities for counterattacks. These pivots ensure he remains balanced and prepared, embodying a timeless technique that will always hold value in the sport.

Another key strength is his adaptability in stance and height. Lapin can box tall to control the distance and maintain range or shorten his frame to generate greater power. This flexibility enables him to adjust his approach based on the opponent and fight situation, whether holding the center of the ring, pressuring with volume, or delivering pinpoint punches with precision.