Oleksandr Usyk was detained at the airport when he tried to defend a friend who had been prevented from boarding a plane, his team said.
Shocking footage emerged on Tuesday night showing the undefeated boxing champion being led away in handcuffs by officers.
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But Usyk, his wife and even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified that it was a misunderstanding.
Now the boxing star’s PR head Mykhailo Krasiuk has given his side of the story.
Krasiuk posted: “OK Google, it was all about our team member who brought @usykaa from Kiev by car (and it was not Lapin, as some media reported).”
“He was so tired after driving for 14 hours that he fell asleep while standing. Ryanair staff did not let him board the plane.”
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“Usyk, who was already on the boat, came back to the gate and tried to save our friend as usual.
“Meanwhile the police arrived, maybe the champion looked so dangerous that he should have been handcuffed,
“(I don’t know). Well, everything was sorted out in a nutshell. Thank you for your support.”
Usyk is believed to be travelling to London where he will be a special guest at the Wembley fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
And after being released from airport security he immediately spoke out online.
Usyk wrote: “Everything is fine my friends. There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved.
“Thank you to everyone who was concerned. Thank you to the Ukrainian diplomats for your support.”
“And respect for Polish law enforcers who carry out their duties regardless of their height, weight, weapon distance and regalia.”
“I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone when he was detained,” President Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
“I am disgusted by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.
Daniel Dubois reveals which illegal move he is willing to use against Anthony Joshua to retain IBF heavyweight title“He instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiza and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klimenko to immediately find out all the details of the incident that took place at Krakow airport.
“As soon as I was informed that everything was okay, our champion was released and no one is detaining him anymore.”
Usik in the drama at the airport
by Wally Downs Jr.
Oleksandr Usyk has been congratulated by everyone in Russia and Morecambe after his victory in his undisputed fight with Tyson Fury.
This 37-year-old Ukrainian icon has spent time on his country’s front lines, supporting vulnerable troops against Putin’s barbarians
And he agreed to fight professionally only when his countrymen begged him for it.
He defeated Daniel Dubois in the Wroclaw Stadium, which was packed with Ukrainians who had fled to safety.
And recently he visited London to assist the Ukrainian Embassy in sending a convoy of vehicles to help our suffering brothers and sisters.
He is due to return to our capital to be ringside for Dubois’ fight against two-time dominator Anthony Joshua.
And he would have received a massive ovation from all 96,000 fans for his courage in and out of the ring.
It seems unlikely that he would be detained for anything related to his conduct.
And this is more likely to happen because of the strict travel rules in place in Eastern European regions.
The talented right-winger with the gap between his teeth hates leaving his four kids and wife, so he won’t be enjoying too many drinks at Wetherspoons at the airport.
So let’s hope that one of the heroes of the modern era – with Olympic gold and undisputed glory at cruiser and heavyweight – is safely back home at Wembley or soon after.
Usyk, 37, has become the undisputed champion after securing the biggest win of his career when he defeated Tyson Fury, 36.
But his reign as the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champion didn’t last long.
Usyk was forced to vacate the IBF belt for a rematch against Fury on Dec. 21 in Saudi Arabia.
Dubois, 27, inherited the title after being promoted from interim champion and makes his first defence against the 34-year-old Joshua.
And Usyk is due to come to the capital to watch Joshua’s all-British bout against Dubois on Saturday.
Read more at The Scottish Sun
And the Ukrainian hero was set to face an awkward reunion with Fury as the two were due to attend a fan event at Boxpark Wembley.
Frank Warren has had to deny rumours that Daniel Dubois had sensational split with trainer hours before Joshua fightBoth fighters will meet and greet fans a few hours before the bout in what’s being called the “official pre-fight party.”
