Frank Bruno sectioned under Mental Health Act in lockdown

Bruno has bravely revealed the struggles that he had during the coronavirus lockdown that led to him being sectioned under the Mental Health Act with family and friends scared for his safety

Frank Bruno has bravely admitted he hit “rock bottom” during the coronavirus lockdown and was sectioned under the Mental Health act.

Bruno is now 60-years of age and has not entered the ring since his defeat by Mike Tyson back in 1996.

His career was at the top of the sporting ranks for his time, reaching the pinnacle of the heavyweight division with a WBC world title.

But he has now revealed he hit “rock bottom” with his family and friends fearing for his safety, which led to his sectioning.

“It has been the hardest and most terrifying time of my life. I hit rock bottom and ­suffered a breakdown,” Bruno told The Sun.

“For my own safety and for the safety of others, I was sectioned and taken back into hospital, I had to face up to the fact my illness had returned after years of keeping a lid on it. I had to fight for my sanity and there were times I feared I wouldn’t get through it.

“Being locked up against your will is the worst thing you can ever imagine. It’s ten times scarier than boxing. Being in a hospital for weeks during the pandemic only made it all the more terrifying. But, thankfully, not least due to the support and love of family and friends, I was able to pull myself away from the cliff-edge. I’m still standing.

“All the routine and structure in my world ­vanished. Work started to be ­cancelled. “Gyms closed. And the health spa near my house, which is like a second home, shut too. I quickly felt like a bit of a prisoner in my own home and my illness started to take hold again.

“Then, when I started to lose friends to Covid, it was like a ­perfect storm was crashing around above my head.”

Bruno was constantly in the spotlight during his rise to heavyweight glory, and is recognised as one of the most popular British boxers of his generation.

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But his family were forced to take action after noticing a string of behavioural issues from Bruno.

This included trying to arrange boxing bouts, excessive fitness routines and a worrying period of weight loss that prompted help being sought by his family.

Bruno has revealed he was taken to Central Bedfordshire Hospital mental health unit on June 28 last year, where he received six weeks of intensive treatment.

And the former world champion also now receives care on a regular basis from attending nurses, to prevent any relapse of his behaviour.

The British fighter was previously diagnosed with Bipolar, but has been receiving treatment to manage his condition.

And now the heavyweight champion has revealed he is edging closer to being nursed back to full health, and has already opened up on his experiences with mental health problems in a documentary with Tyson.