Oleksandr Usyk detained at Krakow airport

President Zelenskyy has said he is 'outraged'

Footage filmed on Tuesday night showed the heavyweight world champion being held by police.

Usyk was eventually released by police, saying the incident was a "misunderstanding" and thanking people for their concern.

He said in a statement on social media: "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 regard to height, weight, reach, and regalia."

His wife Yekaterina said she was thankful he was free and clarified he had not been arrested, Sky News reports.

In a statement, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was "outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion."

He wrote on X: "Talked on the phone with Oleksandr Usyk when he was detained. I was outraged by this attitude towards our citizen and champion.

"He instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiza and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko to immediately find out all the details of the incident at the Krakow airport.

"For now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and no one is detaining him anymore. In the photo, he is with our Consul General in Krakow immediately after his release."

Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha has since confirmed he has contacted the Polish foreign minister because of the ""disproportionate and unacceptable" detention.

"We immediately responded to the detention of Oleksandr Usyk in Krakow and facilitated his release," he wrote on X.

Widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Usyk made history earlier this year when he beat Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

He currently holds the WBC, WBO and WBA belts, after vacating the IBF title, which has since been won by British fighter Daniel Dubois.

He will be taking on his fellow countryman Anthony Joshua at Wembley on Saturday night.