Oleksandr Usyk Freed By Polish Police
JAKARTA Undisputed heavyweight boxer from Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk, has been released after being detained by law enforcement officers at Kranow airport, Poland.
Video footage showing the three-belt heavyweight ruler handcuffed and escorted by police at John Paul II International Airport sparked an alarm.
Usyk then confirmed to the media that there was a slight misunderstanding and he had been released. He said that the Polish police were only carrying out their duties.
"Thank you to all those who care. Thank you to Ukrainian diplomats for their efficient support," Usyk wrote in a statement sent to the media through his manager, Egis Klimas.
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Until now, the reason behind Usyk's detention is not clear. The WBC, WBO, and WBA champions and gold medalists at the 2012 London Olympics have become national heroes who helped the war effort in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a statement sent to the media via Telegram admitted that he immediately intervened when he learned that Usyk was being held.
He ordered Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, to immediately investigate all details of the incident at Krakow airport that made Usyk detained.
"I spoke to Oleksandr Usyk by telephone after he was detained. I am disappointed by this attitude towards our citizens and fighters. Our champions have been released and no one has detained him anymore," he said.
Usyk (22-0, 14 KO) is reportedly traveling to London to attend the IBF heavyweight championship battle between the two fighters he previously defeated, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The 37-year-old fighter chose to hand over his IBF belt earlier this year rather than against his mandatory competitors. He is next scheduled to play a rematch against former WBC champion Tyson Fury, on December 21, 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk defeated Fury in May 2024 to become the undisputed world champion of heavyweight boxing in a thrilling match at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh.
The victory made Usyk the first boxer to hold the four main heavyweight belts at the same time. He is also the first undisputed champion since the end of Lennox Lewis' heyday in April 2000.