Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed his part in Oleksandr Usyk being released after he was detained at Krakow airport in Poland.
Footage circulated on social media showing the Ukrainian boxer, 37, being led away by men in uniform with his hands behind his back in handcuffs.
Usyk released a statement shortly after in which he described the incident as a ‘misunderstanding’ and thanked Ukrainian politicians for helping to resolve the issue.
Zelensky has revealed that he spoke to Usyk after he was detained and revealed his actions to help the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion.
In a message to his seven million followers on X, the president of Ukraine said: ‘I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone after he was detained.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed his part in helping boxer Oleksandr Usyk after the world heavyweight champion was detained at Krakow Airport in Poland
Zelensky in a message on X confirmed that ‘everything was fine’ and Usyk had been released
Zelensky shared this image of Usyk with Ukraine’s General Consul in Krakow after the boxer was released
‘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 immediately look into all the details of the incident at Kraków airport.
‘Now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.’
Zelensky then posted a photo of Usyk with Ukraine’s Consul General in Krakow, which was taken just after he was released.
The incident took place just days before Usyk is due to be in London to watch Anthony Joshua fight Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
Usyk is still expected to be there ringside to watch AJ – the man he has beaten twice before.
The Ukrainian champ addressed fans shortly after the video of him in handcuffs went viral, as he wrote: ‘Dear Friends. A misunderstanding took place.
‘It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support.
Zelensky (pictured) revealed he was disappointed at the ‘attitude’ shown towards Usyk
Usyk was filmed being led away in handcuffs and his camp manager Serge Lapin claimed custom control services ‘neglected their duties’
‘And respect to Polish Police for conducting their obligations with no regards to height, weight, reach and regalia.’
It has not yet been confirmed why Usyk was detained at Krakow airport, though his wife Yekaterina, also posted on Instagram to say ‘everything was fine’ and that the boxer would explain the reason for the incident.
She wrote: ‘Everything is ok, everything is fine!!! Oleksandr will explain everything later!!! nothing to be criminal… Good night to you all!!!’
Oleksandr and Kateryna Usyk have been married since 2009 and together have three children – Kyrylo, Mykhailo and Yelizaveta.
Usyk is due to fight Tyson Fury in a rematch on December 21 after he beat the Gypsy King on points in May to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion, coming back from a rocky few rounds in the middle of the fight to finish strongly.
Usyk released a statement shortly after the video did the rounds online, where he insisted ‘all is well’ and thanked the Ukrainian politicians for resolving the issue
Usyk is expected in London to watch Anthony Joshua fight Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium
Usyk meanwhile is scheduled to fight Tyson Fury in a rematch after his prior victory on points
A rematch has been scheduled for December 21, with the contract for the fight expiring on December 31. The bout has been pushed back to allow the two boxers to recover from their various facial injuries.
Usyk is currently training for the bout and revealed he has learned a lot from his victory over the Brit.
‘Now we have started, we’re going to the training camp,’ he said earlier this month.
‘From the last fight with Tyson Fury, I learned a lot about him, a lot of the things that I saw in the fight I didn’t see on TV with all the fights that I saw of Tyson Fury.
‘So we will prepare even better and God willing, with God’s victory, we will show our best shape again. I have incredible motivation. I’m often told that I’ve done everything, what is next, there is nothing further. But we just work every day , every day is a new day.’
