Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk was detained in Poland on Tuesday while attempting to board a plane.
According to a report from ESPN, Usyk was detained while attempting to fly from Krakow Airport in Poland to Valencia, Spain where he will begin preparations for his highly anticipated rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Usyk and his trainer, Sergey Lapin, were denied boarding after an airline official determined they were not fit to travel.
Per a source, Usyk attempted to explain that he and his trainer were fine to fly and not impaired in any way—they were simply exhausted from a 14-hour travel day from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Unfortunately, the language barrier and Usyk’s continued insistence were enough to get him put in handcuffs and led off the jet bridge.
Usyk’s wife, Katheryna, posted a video of Usyk being taken away in cuffs while adding that the incident was “nothing criminal.”
‼️ Oleksandr Usyk has seemingly been arrested at Krakow Airport in Poland today, though full information about the situation is currently unknown…pic.twitter.com/W2fLnxgCPF
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 17, 2024
Usyk was ultimately released after Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry intervened, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media.
“I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” Zelensky wrote in his post. “I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to immediately look into all the details of the incident at Krakow airport.
“Now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.”
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
Oleksandr Usyk Comments on His Detainment in Poland
Commenting on the situation, Usyk chalked the whole thing up to a misunderstanding and was thankful to all parties involved for helping to resolve the situation amicably.
“A misunderstanding took place,” Usyk wrote on social media. “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.”
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
In May, the Olympic gold medalist defeated Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight world champion in more than 20 years. Usyk is expected to be ringside this Saturday as Anthony Joshua returns to the ring for a title fight with Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London.
