Explainers

OLEKSANDR USYK sent shockwaves throughout the boxing world on Tuesday night after he was DETAINED by uniformed officers in Poland.The incident took place at Krakow Airport and saw Usyk being led away in handcuffs while he was trying to board a flight.Oleksandr Usyk was held by uniformed officers at Krakow AirportUsyk is the undisputed heavyweight world champion and has previously beaten Britain’s two superstar heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.The Ukrainian is set to rematch Fury in December in Saudi Arabia. But his detainment could’ve put a spanner in the works.The 37-year-old, however, was later releassed after the matter was deemed to be a misunderstanding.Why was Oleksandr Usyk detained?According to ESPN, Usyk was boarding a flight from Poland’s capital to Valencia, Spain, where he is to begin camp for his December 21 rematch with Fury.But Usyk was put in cuffs after an airline official determined the champion boxer and his trainer Sergey Lapin were not fit to travel.It’s being reported that Usyk explained he and his trainer were fit to fly and that they were exhausted from an apparent 557-mile drive and 14 hours of travelling from Kiev.Usyk’s wife Katheryna was travelling with her husband and quickly assured everyone on social media that the matter was ‘nothing criminal’.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also got involved and secured Usyk’s release.Most read in Boxing”I was disappointed by this attitude towards our citizen and champion,” Zelensky wrote online alongside a picture of Usyk with a Ukrainian official. Oleksandr Usyk was released after a misunderstanding led to his detainmentCredit: https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1836155031680356431/photo/1″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 Krakow airport.”Now, everything is fine, our champion has been released, and he is no longer being detained.”Usyk wrote on social media: “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 regards to height, weight, reach and regalia.” More

DANIEL DUBOIS takes on Anthony Joshua this weekend with the IBF world heavyweight title on the line. Dubois is coming off two impressive wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic in his corner following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. Don Charles has been in Daniel Dubois’ corner for over a yearCredit: GettyAnd he’s done it all with the help of boxing trainer Don Charles, who has been in the sport for years. Before Charles, Dubois was training with Shane McGuigan and before that Martin Bowers. But his wins under Charles’ tutelage of propelled him into the biggest night of his life. And against Joshua at Wembley, Charles will be hoping his man can pull off the upset. Who is Don Charles?Charles is a 62-year-old boxing trainer who was born in the Republic of Biafra, a previously war-torn country that battled against Nigeria in 1967.He moved to London when he was 14 with his parents and during his youth got into boxing.He fought as an amateur at Brixton ABC and later opening up market stalls and clothing shops in the capital.On the side, he participated in unlicensed fights before going on to work as a doorman after bagging a private security contract.Most read in BoxingHe even had a few harrowing run-ins with local gangsters and feared he would be shot working one night.But his big break came when he met Derek Chisora at a petrol station in what was a chance meeting in North London.The pair chatted and eventually agreed that Charles would become Chisora’s trainer full-time.In the end, Charles was in Chisora’s corner for the Tyson Fury trilogy, the Dillian White fights and Del Boy’s fierce clash with David Haye at Upton Park.Charles also engineered victories over Carlos Takam, Malik Scott and Kubrat Pulev.Charles who helped Dubois do what Chisora couldn’t by winning a world title, will be hoping the 27-year-old can defend it against AJ.Joshua is looking to become a three-time world champion himself, having lost his titles to Usyk in August 2022. More

JOSH WARRINGTON is back in action this weekend as he faces Anthony Cacace at Wembley Stadium. Warrington, a former two-time world champion, was hoping to challenge Cacace for the IBF super-featherweight title he won from Joe Cordina earlier this year. Josh Warrington and Anthony Cacace are set to clash at Wembley StadiumCredit: PABut the IBF has blocked the title fight because of Warrington’s supposed inactivity at 130lbs and his last fight being a defeat. Cacace was brilliant in his TKO win over Cordina and will be delighted with the fact that even if he loses to Warrington, his belt will stay firmly in his grasp. Warrington hasn’t fought since he was stopped by Leigh Wood nearly a year ago and will be out to silence those questioning his title fight credentials against Cacace. But the Northern Irishman will be brimming with confidence after unexpectedly picking up the IBF strap earlier this year, and he has the chance to pull off another big win on the biggest of stages at Wembley Stadium. When is Warrington vs Cacace?Warrington’s clash with Cacace will take place on Saturday, September 21.The clash is likely to get underway from around 8pm BST. Wembley Stadium will play host and there’s set to be a record 96,000 fans in attendance after an application to have the capacity extended was granted.What channel is it and can it be live streamed?The whole card, including Warrington vs Cacace will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office, DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office.Sky customers in the UK will have to pay £19.95 for the huge event.While TNT Sports and DAZN subscription members will need to cough up £19.99 to watch Anthony Joshua in action against Daniel Dubois.Joshua vs Dubois full card Daniel Dubois (C) vs Anthony Joshua (IBF heavyweight title)Josh Kelly vs Ishmael Davis (middleweight)Tyler Denny (C) vs Hamzah Sheeraz (European middleweight title)Anthony Cacace (C) vs Josh Warrington (IBO super-featherweight titles)Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson (WBO interim light-heavyweight title)Mark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley (lightweight) More

IT’S time for another big AJ night at Wembley, but on the undercard Joshua Buatsi will be looking to make headlines of his own. The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist takes on Willy Hutchinson in an all-British light-heavyweight clash in front of 96,000 people. Joshua Buatsi is looking to remain undefeated against Willy HutchinsonCredit: PAScot Hutchinson is coming off a big win over Craig Richards while Buatsi has beaten the likes of Dan Azeez, Ricards Bolotniks and Richards too in recent years. Hutchinson has suffered one defeat in his career, a damaging knockout loss to Lennox Clarke several years ago. Buatsi, 31, is still looking for a big breakout win and has yet to fight for a world title himself. And a win for 26-year-old Hutchinson over Buatsi would be a seismic one for his career, and could see him thrust into a world title bout first. When is Buatsi vs Hutchinson?Buatsi vs Hutchinson will take place on Saturday, September 21.The fight will likely begin at approximately 9pm BST.Wembley Stadium will play host and there’s set to be a record 96,000 fans in attendance after an application to have the capacity extended was granted.What channel is it and can it be live streamed?The full card will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office, DAZN and TNT Sports Box Office.Sky customers in the UK will have to pay £19.95 for the huge event.While TNT Sports and DAZN subscription members will need to cough up £19.99 to watch Anthony Joshua in action against Daniel Dubois.Joshua vs Dubois full cardDaniel Dubois (C) vs Anthony Joshua (IBF heavyweight title)Josh Kelly vs Ishmael Davis (middleweight)Tyler Denny (C) vs Hamzah Sheeraz (European middleweight title)Anthony Cacace (C) vs Josh Warrington (IBO super-featherweight titles)Joshua Buatsi vs Willy Hutchinson (WBO interim light-heavyweight title)Mark Chamberlain vs Josh Padley (lightweight) More