Heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury has revealed that he saved a suicidal man after a long chat and a three-mile run - but has urged others suffering with mental health to seek help.
The lineal heavyweight champion has struggled with mental health problems throughout his own life but has managed to bounce back from adversity both inside and outside the ring.
Fury has subsequently promoted himself as a leading figure in the battle to eliminate any remaining stigma on mental health and give guidance and encouragement to others.
The 31-year-old, who will next fight Deontay Wilder in a rematch on February 22 after their incredible draw last year, took to Instagram to tell the story of his experience with a stranger.
He said: "So tonight I’ve had a strange experience, very strange. I’m very humbled in one way, but very freaked out in another.
"A random stranger came to my house tonight and told me he was just about to commit suicide, but he needed to speak to me first before he did it.
"So obviously me being me, I talked him out of it, took him on a three-mile run, he’s left as happy as Larry and it seems to have worked.
“So for all those people out there who are suffering with mental health problems, please do not take your life. It’ll get better, I promise you.
“There is help around the corner, please seek medical advice immediately and you’ll return to what you once were. It isn’t over then, it isn’t over now.
"Come on people, don’t give up, keep fighting, never say die! Like I got up in round 12 against [Deontay] Wilder, keep getting on, no matter how many times it puts you down, keep moving forward because we never surrender!”
Fury later added another post to his story, about someone who stopped themselves overdosing after hearing the boxer on talkSPORT.
The message wrote: "The other week I was going to take my own life in the back of my work van. I have been struggling with debt, with work and I felt like I was letting my wife down because I couldn't get us any wages.
"I was in my van about to overdose and Tyson was on talkSPORT. His words saved my life and made me come to my senses and sort myself out. I have a wife, four kids that love me and a grandson.
"I would not be here today if he had no been on the radio. God put that on at the right time to save me. I will always be thankful for that morning. Thank you for that morning."
Fury added: "Thanks James. I am so humbled reading this messaged, God bless, and I will continue the work on smashing the stigma!"
