Tyson Fury vs Mental Health: How Gypsy King ‘went the distance’ with depression
Exploring the detailed aspects of former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury's mental health struggles.
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Everything about Tyson Fury's mental health struggles (Image via Instagram/@tysonfury)
Tyson Fury is arguably one of the biggest superstars in boxing, holding multiple accolades and recognition. However, even an elite athlete like him has faced significant challenges. A few years ago, Tyson Fury struggled with mental health issues, but he surprisingly overcame these challenges. Let’s delve into this intriguing discussion about one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world.
Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury has nearly dominated every opponent he has faced in his professional boxing career. Over the years, many formidable heavyweight boxers have fallen victim to Fury’s exquisite boxing skills. While his in-ring performances are well-known to fans, his struggles outside of the ring are less recognized. This article explores Fury’s past.
The journey of Tyson Fury through Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
The ‘Gypsy King’ received much-needed recognition in his boxing career after he faced Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. That victory marked the beginning of his journey as a world heavyweight champion. However, it also signaled the start of Tyson Fury’s personal struggle with mental health. Following that win, the British boxer confronted several challenges such as depression, anxiety, alcohol addiction, and cocaine abuse.
After the Klitschko fight, Fury began to doubt his success and faced significant inner turmoil that lasted for at least two years. During this time, the Gypsy King struggled with heavy drinking, weighed up to 400 pounds, and failed several drug tests for cocaine. As a result, Fury was banned from competing in professional boxing bouts.
Tyson Fury’s battle with suicidal thoughts
Due to Tyson Fury’s ongoing battle with mental health issues, he was having difficulties in processing the events of his life. As such, even after winning the world title by defeating the legendary Klitschko, Fury was not seemingly happy with his life. Interestingly, according to the Gypsy King, he was on the verge of taking his own life as he felt trapped in the darkest places of his life.
Interestingly, in 2016, Fury nearly crashed his car into a bridge while driving at 190 mph. Despite facing this challenging period, he didn’t allow it to define him for long. In 2017, one morning, the British boxer felt a renewed sense of purpose and became determined to change his life. From that point on, the Gypsy King committed himself to getting back into boxing shape, both mentally and physically.
Along with that Fury has become an active speaker for mental health awareness, advocating for open conversations about mental health. He believes that discussing these issues can lead to greater understanding and support. Additionally, Fury encourages people not to isolate themselves or suppress their feelings.
The glory after the mental health struggles
In 2018, the boxing world witnessed a remarkable comeback as Tyson Fury stepped back into the ring after a three-year hiatus. Fueled by an unshakeable determination to reclaim his place at the top, the Gypsy King started dominating his opponents again. The pinnacle of his resurgence came in February 2020 when Fury delivered a stunning performance against Deontay Wilder, capturing the WBC and The Ring world heavyweight titles.
After defeating Dillian Whyte in 2022, Fury seemingly announced his retirement from professional boxing. However, this retirement was short-lived, as he took only a 7- to 8-month break from the sport. He returned to the ring to fight Derek Chisora and Francis Ngannou, showcasing his mastery of the sport once again. However, this resurgence did not last long.
May 18, 2024, is noted as the day Tyson Fury fell short against Oleksandr Usyk in their bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship. However, the rematch between these two heavyweight boxers is approaching in just a few days. It will be interesting to see if the Gypsy King can make a comeback in the sport again.
Related: Tyson Fury’s wife suffered a tragic loss days prior to Oleksandr Usyk clash
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Nilaav Gogoi
(526 Articles Published)