EXCLUSIVE
‘It’s called bipolar’ – Frank Warren passionately defends Tyson Fury following bizarre post-fight interview
Frank Warren has leapt to the defence of his star client Tyson Fury following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Hall of Fame boxing promoter was sitting ringside as Fury’s long undefeated run ended against Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
3
Usyk wobbled and forced ‘The Gypsy King’ to receive a standing count en route to a split decision win that saw him crowned the undisputed WBO, WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight world champion.
During a post-fight interview, Fury claimed he did enough to win the fight and suggested that the judges had sided with Usyk because he’s from Ukraine.
“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” Fury said in the ring after suffering the first loss of his professional boxing career.
“I believe I won that fight, I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority of them.
READ MORE ON FURY VS USYK
“We both put on a good fight. His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war.”
Fury has faced widespread criticism for his comment, but Warren passionately defended him during an appearance on Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast Show.
The 72-year-old, who has been promoting Fury since 2018, reminded everyone that the British heavyweight has been battling bipolar disorder for years.
“I get quite angry. I’ve just got back and I’m reading some of the reports.” Warren said about the reaction to Fury’s post-fight interview.
Most read in Boxing
3
3
"Tyson is bipolar. If you go on the NHS site and look at what the symptoms are of bipolar, some of the things is saying exactly what is on your mind.
“If it’s in your mind, you say it. That is one of the symptoms, unfortunately.”
Ringside footage captures stunning moment Tyson Fury hit the ropes and was dropped by Oleksandr Usyk before Usyk's epic win over Fury
Fury has been open about his mental health struggles, but Warren thinks people still don’t understand how bipolar impacts his behaviour
He added: “Tyson, you look at him immediately after that fight, he kisses [Usyk] at least three times on the forehead and on the cheek.
“With Tyson, he’s said in the past, ‘I’ve retired’. And a couple of months later, ‘I’m fighting again’. That’s unfortunately one of the things that happens with people who suffer from a dreadful illness.
“It was called manic depression years ago, now it’s called bipolar. It’s all well documented the problems he’s had down the years. Tyson is a warrior.";
Warren says a rematch is on the table for Fury, but insists he won't be rushed into making a decision about his fighting future.
He concluded: "There was a rematch clause.
"That was the condition that was required by the people who were investing in it and that is what is there. If Tyson wants it – and he’s said that he does want it – then it will go ahead."
Topics