Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, known for his legendary victories in the ring, was briefly detained by law enforcement at Poland’s Krakow airport but has since been released. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed frustration over the incident, stating on Telegram, “I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” but confirmed Usyk’s release, thanking those involved in resolving the situation swiftly.
The reason behind Usyk’s detention remains unclear, but the boxer, who holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles and won gold at the 2012 Olympics, reassured his fans on social media. He said it was a misunderstanding and praised the professionalism of the Polish law enforcement. Usyk, a national hero in Ukraine, has played a significant role in supporting Kyiv’s war efforts against Russia, through his charity foundation that provides ambulances and humanitarian aid.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the detention “disproportionate and unacceptable” and announced plans to reach out to Polish authorities for clarification. Meanwhile, a video surfaced of Usyk being handcuffed at the airport, though it has not been independently verified. Despite this incident, Usyk remains a towering figure in both boxing and his nation’s ongoing struggle.
