Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has intervened to end an incident in which Oleksandr Usyk was detained at Krakow Airport while the heavyweight boxing champion was on his way to begin his preparations for his rematch with Tyson Fury.
Zelensky said he had spoken to Usyk and instructed Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs Andrii Sybiha and minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko to “immediately look into all the details”, adding that he was “disappointed” by the “attitude towards our citizen and champion”.
According to an ESPN source, Usyk was stopped in his attempt to board a fight to Valencia for his training camp because the 37-year-old and his trainer, Sergey Lapin, were deemed not fit to travel.
I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone after he was detained.
I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.
I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to… PIC.TWITTER.COM/LNKCH0OUPR
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
Zelensky: Usyk ‘released’
The outlet said it had been told that Usyk had explained both were fine to fly and said they were exhausted from a journey from Kyiv including a 557-mile drive, adding that officials had taken action “between the language barrier and Usyk being adamant that they were not impaired in any way”.
Usyk’s wife, Katheryna, was accompanying the duo and said “nothing criminal” had happened while sharing a social media video showing Usyk being led away in handcuffs on the jet bridge.
“Now everything is fine,” added Zelensky. “Our champion has been released and he is no longer being detained.”
Usyk, who beat Fury by decision in May to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2002, described a “misunderstanding” taking place.
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Usyk Instagram update
“It was quickly resolved,” Usyk said on social media. “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.”
2012 Olympic Games gold medalist Usyk is a national hero in Ukraine and has won all 22 of his professional fights.
The southpaw is expected to be at Wembley Stadium to watch two of the boxers he has beaten, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, fight on Saturday.
Joshua lost to Usyk on points in 2021 and 2022. Dubois suffered a ninth-round stoppage against him in Poland in 2023.
