Oleksandr Usyk handcuffed in Poland, freed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy assistance

Video footage of three-belt heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in handcuffs and being escorted by police at John Paul II International Airport in Krakow, Poland, set off alarms, but has been quickly followed by statements that Usyk is freed.

“Dear Friends: A misunderstanding took place. It was quickly resolved. Thanks to all who got concerned. Thanks to Ukrainian diplomats for the efficient support,” Usyk wrote in a statement sent to BoxingScene and other news outlets by his manager, Egis Klimas.

“And respect to Polish police for conducting their obligations with no regards to height, weight, reach and regalia. Thanks God for everything.”

Usyk’s wife also posted on Instagram that “everything is fine. Oleksandr will explain everything later. Nothing criminal.”

In the brief video footage, as many as four police officers are seen escorting the handcuffed Usyk toward an elevator.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on "X" that he was involved in Usyk's freedom, posting, "I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk on the phone after he was detained. 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. In the photo, he is with our Consul General in Kraków right after being released.”

Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) was reportedly traveling to London to attend Saturday’s IBF heavyweight championship fight between two fighters he’s previously defeated, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk, after surrendering his IBF belt earlier this year rather than fight his mandatory contender, is headed to a Dec. 21 rematch with former WBC champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.

BoxingScene has reporters in London, and will have more on this matter as details emerge. 

Lance Pugmire is BoxingScene’s senior U.S. writer and an assistant producer for ProBox TV. Pugmire has covered boxing since the early 2000s, first at the Los Angeles Times and then at The Athletic and USA Today. He won the Boxing Writers’ Association of America’s Nat Fleischer Award in 2022 for career excellence.