‘Outraged’: Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk arrested in Poland

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been left fuming after the nation’s greatest champion was detained in Poland.

Unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has been released after he was handcuffed and detained by uniformed officers in Poland.

Days before he’s set to be ringside at the IBF heavyweight world title showdown between British stars Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua, the Ukrainian superstar was led away by uniformed police officers at Krakow airport.

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Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight world champion of boxing’s four-belt era and first since 2002 when he defeated Tyson Fury in May, the second weight division he’d claimed all four belts in after previously being the cruiserweight king.

The 37-year-old is also an Olympic gold medallist and is a national hero in the Ukraine.

As the situation erupted, Usyk’s wife Kateryna wrote: “Everything is fine, everything is fine. Oleksandr will explain everything later. Nothing criminal, goodnight everyone.”

His trainer Serge Lapin also added: “Don’t worry, everything’s fine. The customs control service is neglecting its duties.”

Soon after video emerged of Usyk being detained, the champ took to Instagram to reveal the situation was all a “misunderstanding”.

“Dear friends. A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned,” Usyk wrote.

“Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support. And respect to Polish Police for conducting their obligations with regards to height, weight, reach and regalia. Thanks God for everything.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was fuming. Photo by Omar Marques/Getty Images

Usyk was arrested in Poland. Photo: Twitter

ESPN reported that Usyk was detained as he tried to board a flight to Valencia, Spain where he was to begin preparations for his rematch with Fury in Saudi Arabia on December 21.

A source told the publication Usyk and Lapin were “denied boarding after an airline official determined they were not fit to travel”.

Usyk explained however, that the pair were exhausted from a 14-hour day of travel from Kyiv, but that the language barrier caused the issue and led to Usyk being detained.

But the drama was somewhat of an international incident with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealing his part in getting Usyk released.

“I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone after he was detained,” Zelenskyy said via Telegram.

“I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.

“I instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybizi and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately investigate all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.

“As soon as I was informed that everything was fine, our champion was released and no one else detained him.”

Zelenskyy also shared a photo of Usyk with Ukraine’s Consul General after he was released.

Usyk became the undisputed cruiserweight king before moving up to heavyweight in 2018.

Usyk becoming the undisputed heavyweight world champion. Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

After fights against Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, Usyk took the heavyweight crown when he defeated Joshua in September 2021 to claim the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO crowns, defeating Joshua again in August 2022.

After a defence against Dubois, Usyk then added Fury’s WBC title in May to become the undisputed champion.

However, weeks after his triumph, he was forced to vacate his IBF title belt, which saw Dubois, who had won an interim IBF title belt, elevated to world champion status ahead of the fight with Joshua.

Originally published as ‘Outraged’: Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk arrested in Poland