Big Frank said on TV that he had no choice to return to boxing - but now he insists it is bipolar he is fighting
Frank Bruno announces his return to boxing
Frank Bruno today speaks out about his boxing return controversy and
admits: “I know my days of fighting for world titles are behind me.”
National
treasure Frank sparked concerns after his appearance on This Morning
with Phillip Schofield and
Holly Willoughby this week.
In it the 54-year-old told how he felt he had “no choice” but to return to a sport which he retired from back in 1996.
He
made the vow after comments from rival fighters who said they would be
able to beat the former WBC World Heavyweight Champion if he was still
in the ring today.
But in his first response since the ITV interview Frank, who
suffers from bipolar disorder, has written an open letter to his fans.
“It
seems people are a bit worried about me,” Frank writes in the Sunday
Mirror today. “But I want to make one thing clear – I am not down on the
floor.”
The brutally honest letter also sees the father of four:
Vow to win his current battle with bipolar disorder.
Issue another message to David Cameron asking him to meet up and discuss what must be done to overhaul mental health services.
Admit the comments from other fighters made him feel “mugged off” and with no choice but to hit back.
Frank’s letter, reproduced here , comes only six days after his appearance on ITV.
After that interview thousands of people begged him on Twitter not to return to the ring.
Boxing promoter Frank Warren issued a statement urging him to
reconsider, warning his life would be at risk if he fought again. Fans
also expressed concerns for Frank’s health and general wellbeing.
And yesterday even his daughters weighed in saying their dad should not put his gloves back on.
Rachel, 29, said: “When you’re ill you reminisce about the past.
“I
love my father and I’m so proud of him, but he’s had his time. Just
leave it to the youngsters. He needs rest, peace and quiet.”
Sister Nicola, 34, added: “I don’t think anyone would be silly enough to arrange a comeback fight.
“I
can watch videos of Dad’s old fights and they still stir some nice
memories but I think this talk of a comeback just one of his lightning
ideas.”
The reality is that Frank has no chance of getting a
licence to box again professionally so, as he says, you won’t see him
fighting for any of his old titles. But he is training every day, is
determined to stay active in the ring and boasts a physique to shame
fighters half his age. He has been sparring at ex-champ Ricky Hatton’s
Manchester gym and is supporting son Franklin Jr, 21, who is just
setting out as a boxer.
Frank has previously told this newspaper how he expects to battle bipolar for life.
He
aims to encourage others, especially men, to talk openly about their
condition. Last week millions backed Time To Talk Day, where people were
encouraged to discuss their illness openly.
Frank deals with his by taking powerful medication – and by
exercising. He has struggled with life outside the ring since the heady
day in 1995 he became world champ at Wembley after beating American
Oliver McCall, with then wife Laura cheering him on.
He was
sectioned under the Mental Health Act in 2003 and spent several weeks in
hospital. Then, four years ago, he told how he’d been sectioned twice
in 18 months after suffering a relapse in his bipolar battle.
Last year he spoke movingly about the decision to check himself back in to hospital.
He
said: “I will have this illness for life, but I will never, ever, let
it beat me. My trainer George Francis, God rest his soul, took his life
and it is the most terrible thing. I have known others, too. But getting
to that point, so low that you may take yourself off and end things, is
not something that ever crossed my mind. I would never be that brave as
to take my own life. It is mad, crazy.”
Ricky Hatton training with Frank Bruno
Frank has used his experiences as a catalyst for change,
working alongside the Sunday Mirror in our Time To Change campaign by
becoming a mental health ambassador.
He has met thousands of
people living with conditions such as bipolar and depression, and has
been appointed a Government ambassador. Yesterday he received the
Lifetime Achievement Award at the British
Ethnic Diversity Sports
Awards. The accolade is given to those who have a had a major impact on
sport and charity.
He was selected by a panel including Rugby
World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, ex-West Brom footballer
Brendon Batson
and retired athletes Derek Redmond and Jason Gardner.
Bruno said: “It’s very flattering and a terrific honour.”
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