Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy express outrage after champion Oleksandr Usyk detained in Poland
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stepped in as heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk was detained in Poland.
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky gets involved as Oleksandr Usyk gets detained in Poland (Image via X)
Recently, Ukraine’s undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk was detained at Krakow airport in Poland. The matter escalated even further when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stepped in to condemn the Polish government. Here is what happened:
Oleksandr Usyk was reportedly trying to board a flight from Krakow airport to Thessaloniki in Greece for a training camp. However, one of his associates was denied permission to fly. Usyk protested the decision, which led to both men being handcuffed by Polish authorities as a “preventative” measure. The detention caused a stir, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to express his anger.
I talked on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained. I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X
Zelensky demanded a thorough investigation and tasked Ukraine’s foreign ministry with clarifying the details of the incident with Polish officials. The heavyweight boxing champion has made significant contributions to his country during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Usyk joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense, taking up arms alongside fellow Ukrainian boxers like the Klitschko brothers and Vasiliy Lomachenko. Beyond physical defense, Usyk has used his platform to inspire resilience among Ukrainians. Usyk participated in various charity events, like a charity sports race organized by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, to raise funds and awareness for humanitarian causes.
Oleksandr Usyk was subsequently released from Polish custody
Tensions momentarily flared due to the international nature of the incident. Local border guard spokesman Jacek Michalowski told AFP that the handcuffing was a routine, precautionary action to manage the situation and was resolved quickly without further issues.
Reports indicate that Oleksandr Usyk may have been detained due to exhaustion after a grueling 14-hour journey from Kyiv. That potentially confused him as he was deemed not ‘fit to travel’ at the airport. Some speculated that authorities mistook his state of fatigue for something more serious, leading to his detention.
Usyk took the time to clarify the situation and thanked Ukrainian diplomats for their swift intervention. He also expressed respect for the Polish police, who he said were simply performing their duties without regard for his fame or stature. Usyk has not fought since he beat Tyson Fury to become boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.
He is expected to be present in London this week for the Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua IBF title fight being held at Wembley. Usyk vacated the same title earlier this year as he turned down the fight with his mandatory challenger in favour of an upcoming rematch with Fury, later this year in December.
Neial Nishant Bhuyan
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