Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, first unified boxing champion since 2000, has taken to social media to thank his fans for their concern and to announce his release after he was detained at Krakow Airport following his arrival in Poland over the weekend.
A video, which made the rounds on social media, showed the 37-year-old undefeated world heavyweight champion, surrounded by uniformed men after arriving in Poland.
According to ESPN, the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion was deemed not ‘fit to travel’. However, he was attempting to explain that he was ‘exhausted’ after 14 hours of travelling from Kyiv in Ukraine.
Usyk and his wife Yekaterina later took to social media to reveal that it was all “a misunderstanding” with local police. Hours later he was released and even though the reason for his initial arrest was not disclosed he took to social media to thank the fans and clarify the situation.
Usyk wrote: “Dear Friends. A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned.
“Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support. And respect to Polish police for conducting their obligations with no regard to height, weight, reach, and regalia.”
Dear Friends. A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support. And respect to Polish Police for conducting their obligations with no regards to height, weight, reach and regalia.
— Oleksandr Usyk (@usykaa) September 17, 2024
Usyk’s detainment particularly had fans worried as the man he vacated his IBF title to Daniel Dubois, defends the belt against British-Nigerian Anthony Joshua in London on Saturday.
The Ukrainian is expected to be in attendance and the news of him getting arrested in Poland left a lot of fans worried, including the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Mr. Zelensky also expressed outrage towards the initial arrest and took it as a sign of disrespect to the nation of Ukraine. He made this clear on his Telegram and further stated on X that he had ordered an investigation towards the situation.
“I spoke to Oleksandr Usyk on the phone when he was detained.
“I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.
“I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybizi and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately investigate all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.
“As soon as I was informed that everything was fine, our champion was released and no one else detained him.”
Usyk has gone without a bout since he beat Brit Tyson Fury on May 19 to become boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
He relinquished the IBF title in June after choosing not to face his mandatory challenger, rather favouring a rematch with Fury, with the bout slated for December 21, 2024.
