Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk has been freed after his detention at Kraków airport in Poland, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that after becoming aware of Oleksandr Usyk's detention, he spoke with him on the phone. He expressed disappointment with how their citizen and champion was treated in this situation.
President Zelenskyy instructed Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to immediately investigate the details of the incident at Kraków airport.
Fortunately, the issue has been resolved - Usyk has been released and is no longer being held. In the photo, the renowned boxer is seen with the Consul General of Ukraine in Kraków following his release.
The 37-year-old athlete, who is extremely popular in Ukraine, was released shortly after and the incident was ultimately deemed a misunderstanding.
Earlier, social media had shared footage of the Ukrainian boxer being handcuffed and led away by Polish officers.
According to information obtained by Kraków journalists from the Onet.pl portal, Oleksandr Usyk questioned the decision of the Polish authorities, who had banned his friend from boarding a flight to Spain. This version was confirmed by Usyk's Polish promoter, Andrzej Wasilewski. However, Usyk's Ukrainian counterpart, Alex Krassyuk, presented a slightly different account of the incident.
Boxing News reports that Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, explained that Usyk and a friend, exhausted from an 11-hour drive, were traveling from Krakow to Thessaloniki.
Usyk had a priority boarding pass, while his friend had a general one. While waiting, Usyk’s friend fell asleep, and when boarding was announced, Usyk chose to wait for him at the gate.
Krassyuk detailed that Ryanair staff incorrectly assessed Usyk's friend as "deeply alcohol-intoxicated" and refused him boarding. Usyk then tried to resolve the issue with airline employees but was met with resistance and the police were called. Usyk refused to board the flight without his friend and was eventually handcuffed by the police when threatened.
Ukrainian sources report that the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervened in Oleksandr Usyk's detention case, and the consul of Ukraine went to the airport.
Usyk released after misunderstanding at Kraków airport
Polish Radio’s IAR news agency confirmed in a conversation with Jacek Michałowski, spokesperson for the Carpathian Border Guard Unit, that there was no actual detention.
The incident was related to the airline's decision not to allow one passenger to board. Usyk, who intervened in the matter, was only taken to a service area where the reasons for the boarding denial were explained to him and his friend.
The boxer himself, after being released, spoke positively about the actions of the Polish authorities at the Kraków airport.
“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 conveyed via social media.
Boxer Oleksandr Usyk's wife, Yekaterina Usyk, also assured on social media that "everything is fine" and that the situation is not of a criminal nature.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy also commented on the incident. Andrii Sybiha stated that, acting on President Zelenskyy's orders, the Ukrainian authorities quickly resolved Oleksandr Usyk’s detention in Krakow and secured his release. However, the politician announced that the Ukrainian government will formally protest the unjust treatment to the Polish authorities.
Oleksandr Usyk is currently preparing for a rematch scheduled to take place on December 21 in Saudi Arabia. In May, he defeated British boxer Tyson Fury in Riyadh and became the undisputed heavyweight champion for the first time in 24 years.
Source: IAR/Boxing News
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