Tyson Fury’s mental health campaign elicits mixed reaction

• Tyson Fury is a WBC heavyweight champion
• The British boxer took to Twitter and spoke about the need to keep one’s mental health in check
• He said that he will always labour to keep his mental health in check

WBC heavyweight champion and English professional boxer Tyson Fury has sparked divided opinion following his mental health advocacy.

A few days ago, the British boxer took to Twitter and spoke about the need to keep one’s mental health in check.

He said that he will always labour to keep his mental health in check and he will be using his platform to advocate for a good mental health space.

“Mental Health will always be a cause that I will fight for. As someone who is still combatting and facing head on this silent threat, I vowed to always use my platform and voice to be a champion in this space,” he tweeted.

WHY IS TYSON FURY RAISING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS?

The WBC heavyweight champion said May being a Mental Health Awareness month, his plan is to raise more awareness.

Tyson Fury. Photo/The Mirror

He took to the streets of Manchester and picked random conversations with residents on this subject. Fury urged everyone to take care of their mental health by breaking the silence.

WHO IS SUPPORTING TYSON FURY IN HIS MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS CAMPAIGN?

This advocacy drew support and reprimand in equal measure from some of his fans.

“Tyson Fury what a great guy, didn’t really appreciate him a couple of years or so ago, but in my opinion, he has shown the world how much of a caring human being he truly is, and he’s the heavyweight world champion and he’s ours he’s English,” Roy Webster said.

Another fan thanked Fury for this initiative saying that he is sending all the right energy to troubled minds.

“The mind can become very heavy when we fill it with thoughts! Sharing our thoughts and worries is always a great way to understand that actually we are not the only one who cannot carry the weight, talking is always the best way! Great work Tyson, Legend,” read the tweet.

Mel Price thanked Tyson for using his platform as a legendary boxer to tell people what matters to keep one’s mental health on a safe zone.

“It’s great that you’re using your platform to raise awareness about mental health. It’s important to encourage people to talk about their mental health and seek support when needed. Keep up the good work!

WHY ARE SOME FANS OPPOSED TO TYSON FURY’S MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE?

While some supported his call and lauded him for using his platform to raise mental health awareness, others castigated him.

Olasupo Jakes – Bsc (Hons), RPN told off Fury noting that he is the worst mental health ambassador.

“You are not a good ambassador for mental health, Tyson!” he stated. PAV added: “Whatever mate, you’re the worst ambassador for mental health.”

Ben Diamond felt the boxer wasn’t genuine on this campaign and he was only doing it to promote his energy drink Furiocity Energy. Chris O’Connor and Gary mc Glinchey were more brutal.

Connor said that “You ever want to try Solution Focused Hypnotherapy then get in touch Tyson.” Glinchey added that Fury was a perfect example of contradiction on both feet.

WHY IS TYSON FURY PASSIONATE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH?

After defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 with one of the best performances by a British fighter abroad, Tyson Fury fell into depression. The British heavyweight started abusing drugs and alcohol in addition to having bipolar disorder and it was too bad that he started having suicidal thoughts.

Tyson Fury. Photo/Fox Sports

Fury’s weight increased, and the titles he had worked so hard to win began to elude him. As a result, his boxing career was in ruins, and a comeback seemed exceedingly doubtful.

However, he picked himself up slowly and fought through it all through therapy and taking bipolar meds as prescribed by his physician.

Fury has since returned to the ring better than ever, winning two fights against American heavyweight Deontay Wilder, winning the WBC title, and winning the admiration of boxing fans in the process.

In light of ongoing negotiations for a December fight with Oleksandr Usyk, Fury is now likely to miss a summer bout. He hasn’t competed since soundly defeating Derek Chisora in a trilogy bout in December 2022.

Prior to the breakdown of negotiations, he appeared ready to take on Usyk in April 2023. Andy Ruiz Jr. and Zhilei Zhang were vying to fight alongside the WBC champion when Fury returns to the ring in July at Wembley Stadium.