'I just wanted to die': Fury's terrifying battle with depression

Tyson Fury has spoke candidly about his horrendous battle with depression and the vicious spiral of substance abuse that nearly saw him take his own life.

The 30-year-old sat down with combat analyst Joe Rogan for a tell-all interview before his heavyweight title showdown against Deontay Wilder.

Fury is putting his undefeated record on the line against Wilder in Las Vegas on December 1, looking to take his opponent’s WBC heavyweight belt in the process.

The bout represents the biggest of the second half of Fury’s career after he took more than two years out of the ring, following the memorable win over Wladimir Klitschko late in 2015.

Although the victory over Klitschko rocketed Fury to stardom, it also proved the catalyst for the lowest ebb of his life.

“It wasn’t until after the Klitschko fight — a very massive high — that I had to avert to an even worse low. The lowest low that anyone could ever have,” Fury told Rogan.

“I’d wake up and think, ‘Why did I wake up this morning?’ And this is coming from a man who won everything. Money, fame, glory, titles, a wife, family and kids — everything.

“But I felt as if I had nothing, a gaping hole that was just filled with gloom and doom.”

Fury revealed he soon spiralled into a life of depression after the desire to fight had left him.

The Englishman eventually retired at 27 – becoming the second heavyweight champion to do so undefeated – before substance abuse began to take over his life.

“I hit the drugs. I was out with women of the night and not coming home. I didn’t care about boxing or living, I just wanted to die,” he said.

“But I was going to have a good time doing it.

“The worst thing someone suffering with their mental health (can do) is get into drugs and alcohol.

“I was going to strip clubs and bars, everything,” he said. “I had this emptiness inside where I (still) wanted to fight.”

The ugly situation eventually came to a head as Fury sat behind the wheel of a brand new Ferrari.

Undoubtedly the lowest point was yet to come for Fury, as the boxer revealed the purchase of a new Ferrari saw him almost decide to take his own life.

“I was in it on the highway and at the bottom, I got the car up to 190mp/h (305km/h) and heading towards a bridge.

“I didn’t care about nothing, I just wanted to die so bad. I gave up on life but as I was heading to the bridge I heard a voice saying, ‘No, don’t do this Tyson, think about your kids, your family, your sons and daughter growing up without a dad.’

“Before I turned into the bridge I pulled onto the motorway, I didn’t know what to do, I was shaking, I was so afraid.

“I said I’d never think about taking my own life again.”

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.