By Shaun Murphy-
WBC Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury(pictured) suffered from post fight depression after his latest controversial victory against Francis Ngannou.
Fury laboured to a disputed points win over the game former UFC champion for his last exhibition fight.
Fury’s admission came during an interview with Boxing Social, where he disclosed, “Every fight I have two weeks post-fight depression, and I’m just about getting over that now. Just about getting back to reality … I know it’s gonna go after about two weeks. I’m used to it. The highs and lows of it all. With every high there’s an even bigger low.”
The unexpected knockdown by Ngannou in the third round altered the trajectory of the fight, leading to a more cautious performance from Fury and a points victory. Ngannou was subsequently ranked 10th by the World Boxing Council(WBC), as opportunities for more lucrative contests present themselves.
This deviation from the anticipated outcome may have played a role in intensifying the post-fight emotional turmoil for the undefeated champion.
Fury’s revelation sheds light on the often-overlooked mental toll that professional boxers endure. The highs of victory and the lows of defeat are part and parcel of the sport, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that can take a toll on an athlete’s mental well-being.
The nature of the sport, with its physical and psychological demands, makes it a unique challenge for even the most seasoned fighters.
The psychological aftermath in this case could be attributed to a combination of factors, including the adrenaline crash after the fight, the scrutiny and pressure associated with being a high-profile athlete, and the emotional investment in the preparation and execution of each bout.
The stigma surrounding mental health issues is slowly dissipating, and Fury’s admission contributes to destigmatizing the psychological challenges that athletes, even those at the pinnacle of their careers sometimes face.
Fury’s focus now has to be on preparing well for his unification fight with Usyk next February as the world would be unconcerned with any post fight depression if he comes up short for that major fight.