Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk said there was a misunderstanding at Krakow airport, where he was detained by Polish services on Tuesday night. The world champion thanked Ukrainian authorities for their support, while also appreciating the professionalism of Polish officers, Ukrainian media reported.
The world heavyweight champion of the WBA, WBO, WBC, IBF and IBO organizations, Oleksandr Usyk, after being detained by the Polish services at Krakow airport, stated that “there was a misunderstanding that was quickly clarified”.
Friends, everything is fine. The misunderstanding was quickly cleared up. Thank you to everyone who showed concern. I thank the Ukrainian diplomats for their support. And respect for Polish police officers who perform their duties regardless of height, weight, arm reach and championship titles.
– Usyk wrote on Instagram.
The boxer’s wife, Ekaterina Usyk, also assured on social media that “everything is fine” and that the case is not of a criminal nature.
Polish authorities have not yet commented on the case of Oleksandr Usyk’s detention and the statements made by the Ukrainian side.
As we reported, Oleksandr Usyk was detained on Tuesday evening during check-in at Krakow airport, from where he was supposed to fly to Spain. The reasons for the detention of the 37-year-old boxer are unclear. According to the Onet portal, which refers to information obtained from Polish prosecutor Andrzej Wasilewski, the Ukrainian boxer questioned the actions of the Polish services, which did not want to let his friend board the plane. The boxer was supposed to come from Kiev to Krakow, from where he was going to fly to Spain.
Conversation with Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the detained boxer by phone. The Ukrainian leader said on social media that he was outraged by the Polish authorities’ approach to “our citizen and champion” and ordered the head of the Foreign Ministry to immediately explain all the circumstances of the incident at Krakow airport. The Ukrainian boxer was soon released.
At the request of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, we immediately reacted to the arrest of Oleksandr Usyk in Krakow and demanded his release. We consider the actions taken against our champion disproportionate and unacceptable. We will send an appropriate diplomatic note to the Polish side on this matter.
– announced the head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andriy Sibiga, on the X website.
Usyk defeated Britain’s Tyson Fury by split decision in Riyadh in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion in 24 years. He added Fury’s lost WBC belts to his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts. The Ukrainian is currently preparing for the rematch, which will take place on December 21, also in Riyadh.
Ukrainian media recall that in March 2009, another Ukrainian boxer, world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, was detained at Frankfurt am Main airport. German customs officials questioned, among other things, the legality of the Swiss watch he was carrying.
