Barry McGuigan calls for mental health support in boxing

Irish fight legend Barry McGuigan has called for more help for boxers suffering with mental health issues.

The former WBA featherweight World champion has always been a ‘safety’ champion, but feels the authorities should extend support from just physical health to mental health.

McGuigan made he comments in light of the news regarding former Irish champion Tyson Fury’s out of the ring issues.

“It should happen sooner rather than later because we don’t want a fatality on our hands,” McGuigan told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“The health of the boxers is really important to me. There is no help available to boxers for depression and mental health issues which is something I really want to concentrate on.”

The Clones Cyclone feels that there is enough money involved in the sport to ensure that there is support at all levels and explained that “there are colossal sums in some of the fights and there is plenty of money available, of which some should be set aside for mental health issues. We definitely need to address it.”

“Maybe it is time for all the sporting governing bodies to sit down and start thinking about a clinic of some kind which is available. We need to do it for a cheap rate for guys who don’t earn a fortune.”