The Sportsman has been privileged to be granted a revealing interview with heavyweight title contender Tyson Fury on the verge of his much-anticipated fight with Deontay Wilder in Los Angeles.
The British pugilist has spoken candidly about his battles with mental health and the struggle in getting back up to the top of his game with the world’s attention now once again focused on him.
Fury took the time to be explicit that he didn’t do the fight against his personal problems alone.
Newly fresh-faced and in the best shape of his life after dropping an incredible 10 stone from a high of 28, Fury is clearly ready for the bout but clear in a passionate message what it took to get him here, with some extremely positive messages for the watching world;
“The world is behind me, this isn’t a small space thing. I’m a global phenomenon. I get messages of support from all over the world, I'm inspiring people and giving them hope.
"Everybody who's been suffering for long periods of time, lifetimes of suffering with no help, noone to give them passion, noone to give them determination or drive. Well look no further cos I’m that man.”
Fury had to forfeit his world heavyweight title won in November 2015 against Wladimir Klitschko and subsequently spent two and a half years out of boxing to focus on combatting mental health issues.
The match-up with Wilder is just his third fight since that historic triumph after mounting a comeback earlier this year.
"I've been so dark where it was pitch black. Where I was taking drugs and drinking on a daily basis."
“You can’t go any lower than that.
“If I can turn my life around and come back from that to on Saturday night as well being on the verge of winning another world heavyweight championship, then anybody can achieve anything they want to at life.”
Wilder versus Fury is due to take place at the Staples Center, L.A with British audiences able to watch the bout live in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Inspirational @Tyson_Fury opens up about his battle with mental health and how he wants to help others who are suffering...
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