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Oleksandr Usyk released after being detained at Krakow airport on his way to London for Joshua-Dubois

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Oleksander Usyk trains ahead of his fight this weekend in Jeddah on August 16, 2022. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Even the most powerful king of the sport is not sheltered from the long hand of the law.

Thankfully, Oleksandr Usyk is free and clear after being briefly detained by customs police at John Paul II International Airport in Krakow. A specific reason for the incident was never given, but his entire team confirmed it was a mistake.

“[Thank] God, everything is fine,” Yekaterina Usyk, Oleksandr’s wife, told her followers on social media. “No one was arrested. Usyk is free. A misunderstanding.”

After being released, the top boxer in every weight class addressed the matter on social media.

“Dear friends. There was a misunderstanding,” Usyk said on his verified Instagram and X channels. “It was quickly resolved. Thank you to everyone who was concerned.”

Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) was travelling to London to take part in the IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua this weekend when he was stopped by Krakow airport staff for unknown reasons before being handcuffed.

Authorities and Usyk himself have confirmed that the Ukrainian left-hander was never arrested. He was held until authorities in the country could meet with Polish law enforcement to resolve the case.

“I spoke with Oleksandr Usyk by phone after his detention,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “I was disappointed with this approach to our citizen and defender. I instructed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybisha and Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko to immediately investigate all the details of the incident at Krakow airport.

“Now everything is fine, our master has been released. He is no longer held. In the photo he is with our Consul General in Krakow just after his release.”

Usyk became the first fully unified heavyweight champion in 21.saint century after his May 18 split decision victory over Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs). The victory set up a lucrative rematch for the 37-year-old left-hander and a four-month — and counting —celebration by famous personality X Nadim Haddad.

The feat saw Usyk join Evander Holyfield as the only two fighters in the sport to hold undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight titles. Usyk’s reign was immediately cut tiny when he was forced to vacate his IBF belt. The move saw Dubois (21-2, 19 KOs) move up to the full belt from interim IBF champion, which he won in a June 1 knockout victory over Filip Hrgovic.

Dubois will now defend his title against Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) next Saturday at Wembley Stadium in London.

Usyk has a combined record in matches against these two teams: 3-0.

He defeated Joshua by unanimous decision to win the WBA, IBF and WBO belts in North London in September 2021. The feat was repeated, albeit by split decision, in a rematch in August 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Usyk won The Ring heavyweight title with the victory.

A year later, Usyk knocked out London’s Dubois in the ninth round on August 26 in Wroclaw, Poland. The victory paved the way for him to face Fury and defeat him to win the WBC belt in Riyadh.

Usyk and Fury will return to Riyadh for their highly anticipated rematch on December 21.

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Yoenis Téllez-Johan González, Mateo Tapia-Endry Saavedra added to the October 19 PBC bill

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Talented Cuban junior middleweight Yoenis Téllez will face the hard-hitting Johan González on October 19, while the main event will be headlined by an IBF title fight between Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu.

The event at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida will also feature a fight between middleweight contenders Mateo Tapia and Endry Saavedra.

Ronnie Shields’ protégé Téllez will be fighting at the venue for the fifth time, with the 24-year-old holding an 8-0 (6 KO) record.

Téllez defeated Sergio Garcia last July and has since won two fights at Caribe Royale.

“Fighting an experienced fighter like Johan González is a great opportunity to show the world what I’m made of,” Téllez said. “He fought at an elite level and I expect a tough fight. I’ll leave everything in the ring.”

Gonzalez, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, currently trains in Las Vegas and is 34-3 (33 KOs). He made his U.S. debut last year but lost a decision to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov in 2022. Gonzalez surrendered in 2017 and won his first 22 fights before losing a split decision in 2018.

“This fight means everything to me, I have to win it,” González said. “I work tough every day to make sure I leave with my hand raised. Right now, I’m just focused on doing everything I can to keep my career moving forward.”

Tapia is a friend and sparring partner of main event contender Tszyu, while Saavedra has seven stoppages in his last seven wins.

The 26-year-old Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs) was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and has spent most of his career fighting out of Australia, as well as sparring hundreds of rounds with Tszyu. He now trains in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hopes a win over Saavedra will put him one step closer to a title shot.

“This fight is a huge opportunity for me and I’m here to take it with both hands,” Tapia said. “I’m excited to be fighting on Tim Tszyu’s undercard and I’m grateful to my team for making it happen. It’s been a long camp and I’ll definitely be ready when that bell rings on October 19th. I can’t wait to showcase my skills and proudly represent Australia and Mexico on the world stage.”

Saavedra (16-1, 13 KOs), a Venezuelan fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico, enters the fight having knocked out his last three opponents since suffering his only career loss, a decision win over Etoundi Michel William in October 2022.

The 33-year-old turned pro in 2018 and has won his first 13 fights after a lengthy amateur career, most recently traveling to Australia in March where he stopped Isaac Hardman on home turf in the eighth round of a fight he was trailing on two of three cards.

“I can’t wait to take advantage of what’s ahead of me on Oct. 19,” Saavedra said. “I plan on showing the world why I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m up against a tough Australian fighter who represents Mexico, so I expect a war, just like I bring it to every fight.”

TGB Promotions President Tom Brown added, “Yoenis Téllez can add his name to the star-studded lineup of top 154-pound contenders when he takes on the formidable Johan González, while Mateo Tapia is poised to make a splash in the middleweight division if he can defeat the on-the-fly Endry Saavedra in his first fight.”

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Eddie Hearn Wants Anthony Joshua to Fight Tyson Fury

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Image: Eddie Hearn Wants Anthony Joshua to Fight Tyson Fury Next

Eddie Hearn wants Anthony Joshua to face Tyson Fury regardless of the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk on December 21.

(Source: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Hearn says that if Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is defeated by WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk, a fight between him and Joshua would be “huge,” with Fury potentially facing Joshua in a voluntary defense of his three titles if he is victorious.

It is logical that Hearn allowed a fight between Joshua (28-4, 23 KOs) and Fury because there is large money on the table from Saudi Arabia.

With all the money Joshua could get for the Fury fight, it would be crazy to ignore it. Joshua is wealthy, with his net worth currently estimated at 200 million poundsbut adding another $100 million would make it worth it. The most Joshua would have to worry about in the Fury fight is getting hit on the canvas.

AJ would have a better chance of beating the 36-year-old Fury than he would in a rematch with IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois. It would be foolish for Joshua to risk fighting Dubois after what happened last Saturday night. Dubois stopped Joshua in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium and it was strenuous to watch.

“My advice would be to do nothing until December 21st – Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury rematch,” Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports Boxing of his plans for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. “If Fury loses, it could lead to a large fight with Joshua, if Fury wins, he could do a voluntary defence against Joshua. It’s still the biggest fight in the division, by a mile.”

The Fury-Joshua fight could look uncertain if Usyk knocks Fury out on December 21. It would look bad if Fury and Joshua both lost by knockout when they meet in 2025. The British boxing public will not tolerate a fight between two heroes if both lose by knockout.

Fury, 6’8″, has the size to take Usyk the full 12-round distance in a losing effort, especially if the referee can assist him by giving him breaks when he’s injured. Fury was recently saved in the ninth round by the referee, who gave him an eight-pointer when he was on his feet after taking 20 consecutive unanswered punches to the head from Usyk.

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Anthony Joshua: My Ups and Downs Career Isn’t Over Yet

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ANTHONY JOSHUA insists his bumper career is not over yet as he continues his quest to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

Following his devastating defeat to Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, the first knockout of his 11-year career, many suggested Joshua might decide to end his boxing career.

But the two-time heavyweight world champion, now 34, is adamant he is not ready to abandon the sport that has transformed the face of this country.

Joshua has one more fight lined up with Riyadh Season and his promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested a rematch with Dubois could be an option, although fights with the likes of Deontay Wilder, Joe Joyce or Zhilei Zhang could also be possible for Turki Al-Alshikh.

On Monday, Joshua posted a video on his Instagram profile in which he emphasized that his goal has not changed despite the defeat to Dubois.

He said: “Okay, we didn’t get the win last night, but we have to look at all the positives. That’s the attitude and perspective we have to have, positive, always.

“Look what we’ve accomplished in 11 years, it’s phenomenal and I want to thank every single one of you who’s been on this journey with me. What a rollercoaster ride.

“But do you know what the problem is? It’s a long way from being solved. We’ve done it once, we’ve done it twice, doing it a third time wasn’t simple, but I believe it’s something I can achieve.

“It’s about taking the right steps forward, working tough, improving yourself, and it has to come from the heart more than anything else. It can’t come from any outside voices or influences, it has to come from the heart.

“It’s only been a day, but when I sit down and think, I know I have a lot of heart. Buckle up, because deep, deep, deep in my heart I know we have so much more to give to the game. Long may it continue.

“British boxing, I appreciate you and we grow together, let’s go!”

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