Tyson Fury has declared he WAS retired after calling time on his career following his win over Dillian Whyte in April.
But the Gypsy King has stated his mental health proved crucial in him making a U-turn on his decision as he stated he was ‘very bored’ and ‘low’ away from boxing.
The WBC heavyweight champion brutally dispatched British compatriot Whyte at Wembley in April, where he revealed he was hanging up his gloves.
However he announced his comeback in September, where he then hinted at fighting ten more times.
The first of which will come against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later on Saturday night to complete their trilogy.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT’s Adam Catterall ahead of the domestic dust-up, Fury candidly spoke on his battle with mental health.
He said: “I’m pretty good right now. I’m focused, I’ve got a fight coming up. It’s not while I’m in training camp that I struggle.
“I never struggle in camp because I have a goal, I have a focus, I know what I’m doing every day and have a good routine.
“It’s when I’ve got nothing to do. It’s the six, seven or eight months in between fights. It’s the not knowing what’s next element.”
Pressed on his decision to retire, he remarked: “I really meant it. Not many people will believe this, but I really meant it.
“I didn’t have that second thing to go into, I didn’t have that second purpose. So I was very bored and I was very low and down. I was getting back to the 2016 days.
“For about four or five days a week I was very, very low. I just thought I can’t deal with this right now, I’ve got to come back. I’m fighting again.
“As soon as I said that, it went away and it was all fantastic again. For now, I need this. For sure, next time I stop I will have something to go into. Another job.
“It doesn’t have to be something spectacular, just the fact that I need to get up at a certain time. If I need to get up at 7am, go for a run, shower, go to work for 8am.
“That’s why I keep saying I want to be a used car salesman in Morecambe. I’m going to open up a car pitch or something.
“It gives me a purpose in life to get up every morning and I’ve got to go and open up and I’ve got to go and do something. That’s what I’m going to do, for sure.”
Fury added: “The thought of retirement and not having to kill yourself every day, not having to get punched in the head by giant men.
“It sounded advertising, but it wasn’t what I really wanted. Hence the reason I’ve come back.
“Although I didn’t stop training ever, I was still training every single day, minimum five days a week. Most days twice a day.
“I was writing my third book at the same time, I was recording the single, I was doing the Netflix documentary, I was even in camp for Joseph Parker. I still didn’t feel fulfilled as it wasn’t me.
“Although I’ve got nothing to prove and not coming back for any specific reasons. What else is there?
“For me, a champion racehorse, even if it was Red Rum, what was its purpose after it retired?
“It is very worrying and this is why all sportsmen struggle after they retire.
He continued: “I’m not boxing because I need to buy a house or need to pay my bills, or boxing to win a belt or become somebody or famous or whatever.
“I have no real reason to fight. My reason for fighting is I need to keep myself well in my mind.”
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News Summary:
- ‘I was very bored and very low’
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