Fears are growing for the health of heavyweight Boxer Tyson Fury, with his close friend and fellow boxer Billy Joe Saunders concerned that he will be dead by 30 if his current state does not improve and he does not receive sufficient support.
Fury has dominated headlines recently after pulling out of the re-scheduled rematch with Wladimir Klitschko and being deemed to be "medically unfit" for the fight. He then allegedly testing positive for cocaine and appeared to have confirmed retirement yesterday, before reversing his decision.
Saunders, a long-time friend of Fury's, is worried about situation of the self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King'.
As quoted by ESPN, he said:
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"I'm very concerned that he won't see 30 years old. Very concerned. If the public don't get behind him, and he doesn't get the help he needs, it could affect his life and his family's lives forever.The travelling community's behind him. But it's out of the travelling community, the press, that need to give him a breather, a pick-me-up, a pat on the back. I'm not saying everything he's done is right - not even a 'You've done right, you've done wrong' - [he needs] a 'It'll be alright, don't worry about it, chin up'. Give him a bit of that and perhaps he might see a little bit of light, [it] might give him a little bit of confidence."
Saunders says he has spoken to Fury but quickly became aware of the condition the 28-year old is in.
"I've spoken to him, but he's down, he's very down, he's not in a mood to talk to anybody. He's mentally not there. Nothing shocks me at the moment, because he's not mentally right. He needs help. He's in a bad place at the minute. I know him very well; extremely bad place."
Fury's entourage are yet to officially comment on Fury's state but it is clear that the boxer is not in a good place and needs all the help he can get.
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(h/t ESPN)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Wladimir Klitschko