TYSON FURY starred in a short film on addiction called You’re Not My Best Friend to commemorate World Mental Health Day.
The Gypsy King made a miraculous comeback to the ring in 2018 after two-and-a-half years out battling substance abuse and depression.
And the WBC heavyweight world champion teamed up with poet Hussain Manawer on a poem read aloud in a powerful film montage shared on his Instagram page.
The poem read: “You are not my best friend. Stop trying to tell me you are.
“It’s because of you I started lying. It’s because of you my habits started changing. And because of you, more of you, I was buying.
“But I agree, you are there for me when nobody else is, when I’m really feeling helpless.
“But because of you, some of my closest friends are starting to call me selfish.
“And I can’t explain it. How I love it when you take me to heaven but hate it when you drag me through hell quick.
“But if you go, who will be there for me. When I’m alone, overthinking. There’s nothing or no-one like you that can care for me, it’s addiction.
“Say it louder. I said it’s addiction. When you start to lose your power. It’s addiction.
“When you are only living for the hour. You are not my best friend. Stop telling me you are.”
Speaking about the motivation behind the film, via Boxing News 24/7, Fury said: “It’s incredibly important to speak up and fight the stigma of mental health.
“Boxers are the toughest of the tough but mental health affects each and every one of us differently.
“Working with Hussain and creating the short film reminds people that they are not alone – help is always there and it’s important we keep talking about it.
“This World Mental Health Day we need to redefine what it means to be a ‘strong man’.”
After snatching Wladimir Klitschko’s heavyweight crown in 2015, the 6ft 9in Brit ballooned in weight to 28st after boozing and bingeing on cocaine – leaving him feeling low and empty.
Tragically, Fury revealed he even attempted to take his own life in 2016 by driving his Ferrari towards a bridge at 190mph.
And the 32-year-old admitted to suffering with his mental health during lockdown – relying on his daily workouts to stop him ‘going round the bend’.
Fury claimed the WBC belt after KOing Deontay Wilder in their February rematch but a trilogy fight is OFF, with the Bronze Bomber’s contract set to expire.
And the door is open for the Gypsy King to fight Anthony Joshua in a colossal all-British heavyweight unification bout.
