Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk was released after being detained by police at Krakow airport in Poland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday.
Zelensky said he spoke with Usyk on Tuesday and was “disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.”
“I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, to immediately investigate all details of the incident at Krakow airport,” Zelensky said. wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Now everything is fine, our champion has been released and he is no longer in custody.”
The Polish Foreign Ministry told CNN the matter did not fall within its jurisdiction but “had already been resolved.”
CNN has also asked the Polish Ministry of the Interior for comment.
Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight champion, said on social media that there had been “a misunderstanding” but that the incident was “quickly resolved”.
“Thanks to everyone who was concerned. Thanks to the Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support. And respect to the Polish police for fulfilling their obligations without regard to height, weight, reach and regalia,” he said. wrote on X on Tuesday.
Usyk’s wife, Yekaterina, posted a message on her Instagram Stories: “Thank God everything is OK. No one was arrested. Usyk is free. A misunderstanding.”
It is currently unclear why Usyk was initially detained. A video on social media shows the heavyweight champion being escorted by police through what appears to be an airport, handcuffed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha said the incident was “excessive” and “unacceptable” in a after on X.
“We will send a relevant note to the Polish side,” he added.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Usyk has used his platform to raise awareness and money for those affected by the war in his home country.
Since then he has the Usyk Foundationa charitable fund that supports the country’s armed forces.
Earlier this year, Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a razor-sharp split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
He became the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago, with the Briton winning all three available titles at the time.
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