Tyson Fury feels ‘absolutely suicidal’ every Sunday and believes he’ll be dead within a year if he quits boxing

Tyson Fury has opened up on the dark thoughts that continue to occupy his mind ahead of his rematch with Deontay Wilder, with the former world heavyweight champion admitting that he feels “absolutely suicidal” every Sunday and believes he will be “dead within a year” if he quits his boxing career.

Fury has struggled with mental health issues in recent years and suffered from depression following his title victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, with the Briton experiencing drink and drug problems and admitting to having thoughts of taking his own life.

The 31-year-old has rebounded from his difficulties to reignite his boxing career after two-and-a-half years out of the ring, and he has set his sights on reclaiming his world champion status ahead of the WBC title fight against American Wilder on 22 February.

But in a revealing segment in an interview with Behind The Gloves, Fury has said that he still struggles with his mental health when he finds himself with nothing to do, having found ways to keep occupied from Monday to Saturday.

“I look forward to Saturdays,” Fury said. “I do a long run in the morning and then I will do something with the kids or whatever I can.

"Then Sunday comes and every Sunday I am absolutely suicidal – every single Sunday whether I am in camp or I am at home."

"It is like the world has ended and I just wanna not live anymore.

"That is Sunday. And then I go to bed on a Sunday night thinking yeah Monday is tomorrow I can start my stuff again. Back to the gym, back to the coffee shop, back to the lunch, back to the kids.

"That is the way I live. It is routine that is keeping me alive and keeping me going.

"If I give up the gym I will be dead within a year that is for sure."

Fury details in 2016 the “personal demons” that he was experienced as he descended into a downward spiral due to cocaine use and daily drinking, while he also put on weight that left him describing his condition as being “fat as a pig”.

His struggles were a far cry from the ‘Gypsy King’ persona that he adopts during fight preparations, with the Manchester-born boxer never afraid to show his character in the weeks building up to a main event.

Fury came within a whisker of reclaiming his world champion status in December 2018 when he boxed his way to a draw against Wilder in their initial contest, despite many believing that he had done enough to secure victory over the course of the 12 rounds. Fury did have to drag his lifeless body off the canvas in the final round after being knocked down for the second time in the contest, but his miraculous recovery saw him beat the count and regain his footing in time to see the fight out, only to come agonisingly short of recording a 28th consecutive victory. His current record sees him still unbeaten at 29-0-1.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can reach out for confidential support at Samaritans by calling 116 124 or visiting their website