Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk was arrested Tuesday at Kraków Airport in Poland. While he wasn’t detained for long, it remains unclear exactly why he was arrested.
The incident was captured on video, showing Usyk being led away in handcuffs by Polish soldiers.
The arrest prompted a quick response from the highest reaches of government in Ukraine, where Usyk is a national hero while the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with Usyk via phone and instructed minister of foreign affairs Andrii Sybiha and minister of internal affairs Ihor Klymenko to immediately investigate the incident.
He also shared a photo of Usyk with Ukraine’s Krakow consulate general Viacheslav Voinarovskyi after his release.
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
Minutes later, Usyk posted a statement on social media blaming a misunderstanding for the rest and thanking the Ukrainian diplomats for their support:
“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.”
Usyk became boxing’s first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years earlier this year when he defeated WBC champion Tyson Fury by split decision, though he has since been stripped of his IBF title for not facing the body’s mandatory challenger. Daniel Dubois, whom Usyk knocked out last year, now holds the title.
The Ukrainian’s win over Fury was the culmination of a quick and impressive journey through the heavyweight division. After collecting all titles at cruiserweight, Usyk moved up a division and mowed through Chass Witherspoon, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua to capture the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts. He defeated Joshua in a rematch and Dubois to defend the titles, then overcame Fury to become temporarily undisputed.
Usyk is scheduled to face Fury in a Dec. 21 rematch on in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
