By Billie Sloane, IFL TV

In boxing, fighters are celebrated for their toughness, resilience, and the grit to withstand anything thrown their way. But what happens when the battles extend beyond the ring, into their minds and hearts? Boxing is one of the loneliest sports, and its pressures are staggering. Fighters don’t just face their opponents in the ring; they face themselves. The question is: are we doing enough to support these warriors beyond the ropes, or are they left to fight their demons alone?

The Loneliest Sport

Boxing is often described as the loneliest sport in the world. While other athletes compete as part of a team, fighters enter the ring alone. Yes, they have trainers, cutmen, and even entourages, but when the bell rings, all responsibility falls squarely on their shoulders. And with that responsibility comes immense pressure. A fighter’s performance in those few rounds can determine their future, their health, their livelihood, and their dreams.

Consider this: a single “bad day at the office” is witnessed by millions. Fighters don’t just fail privately—they fail spectacularly, with their mistakes replayed endlessly on social media.

How would you handle millions of people seeing your Fck up at work? Just because you had an off day, or didn’t perform as you do the other 364 days of the year? Fighters face that reality every time they step into the ring.

Carl Froch, reflecting on the pressures of boxing, said in an interview: “In the ring, it’s just you. All the pressure, all the expectations—it’s on your shoulders. And if you lose, you’re the one who has to deal with it.”

When the fight ends, and the cheers die down, fighters walk out of the stadium often in silence. What happens then? Who helps them process the fight, the defeat, the doubts? What support is in place for these warriors when the noise stops? 

The Weight of Expectations

The mental toll of boxing goes far beyond fight night. Fighters live under a microscope, with every meal, training session, and public appearance scrutinised. They’re expected to maintain a façade of invincibility, embodying the “alpha energy” that the sport demands. But this tough exterior often masks deep vulnerabilities.

Anthony Joshua, speaking with The Guardian, admitted: “Boxing is a brutal sport, not just physically but mentally. You’re expected to be tough all the time, but we’re human. We feel the pressure, we feel the doubts.”

The highs of victory are euphoric, but the lows can be devastating—and for many fighters, those lows are faced in solitude. 

Tyson Fury: Opening the Doors of Conversation

Few athletes have done more to spotlight mental health in boxing than Tyson Fury. In his tell-all interview with Joe Rogan, Fury detailed his battles with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. At a time when his career was soaring, Fury described feeling empty, lost, and hopeless.

But that conversation did more than shed light on Fury’s struggles—it opened the door for men everywhere to start talking about theirs. If the self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” could admit to his vulnerabilities, maybe it wasn’t so scary for others to show theirs. Fury’s raw honesty became a turning point, showing that even the toughest men in the world can struggle, and that it’s okay to seek help. 

Can Boxing Pave the Way for Men to Be More Open?

Boxing has always been about strength, both physical and mental. But does that strength also mean being open about feelings? If the toughest men in the world—fighters—can admit their struggles, does it pave the way for other men to do the same?

The stigma around mental health, particularly for men, remains a significant barrier. Society often tells men to “man up” and suppress their emotions. But boxing, with its unique culture of warrior resilience, could lead the charge in breaking that stigma.

Fighters like Fury have already made strides in this area, but is the sport doing enough? Can boxing become a platform not just for athletic excellence, but for showing that vulnerability is part of strength? 

IFL TV’s RAW: The Fight Within – Tackling Mental Health

Here at IFL TV, the conversation around mental health is a regular focus. Kugan Cassius’ podcast, RAW: The Fight Within, has become a powerful platform for exploring the mental and emotional challenges faced by some of the most recognisable names in boxing.

Through these raw, unfiltered conversations, fighters have opened up about their struggles, their fears, and their moments of doubt. Many have even shed tears, exposing a side of themselves rarely seen by the public. It’s a reminder that behind the bravado and the gloves, these are human beings navigating some of life’s toughest battles.

By addressing these issues head-on, RAW: The Fight Within is helping to break down the stigma around mental health in the sport. But are these conversations reaching enough people? And more importantly, are they prompting real change within the industry?

The Impact of Online Trolling

For fighters, the mental toll doesn’t stop when they leave the ring—it follows them home, onto their screens, and into their personal lives. The rise of social media has brought fans closer to their heroes, but it has also unleashed a darker side: relentless trolling and abuse.

Paddy Power’s recent campaign highlighted the sheer volume of abuse athletes receive, from body shaming to accusations of cowardice, often based on a single performance. Fighters, who already endure physical punishment and immense pressure, now face a barrage of criticism from “sofa athletes” and keyboard warriors who’ve likely never thrown a punch in their lives.

Have we, the fans, become immune to the impact our words have? Do we even consider the long-term effects these attacks leave behind?

Social media magnifies the pressure fighters face, turning their most vulnerable moments into viral memes and fodder for armchair critics. Kugan Cassius, speaking about the mental toll fighters endure, noted: “We forget there’s a human behind the screen. People say things they’d never have the guts to say to a fighter’s face. It’s not just criticism—it’s abuse.”

As fans, do we bear some responsibility for the mental struggles fighters face? Are we contributing to the very battles they’re trying to overcome?

What Happens After the Fight?

Boxing’s brutal beauty lies in its simplicity: one fighter, one opponent, one winner. But that simplicity belies a complex reality. Fighters leave the ring with more than just bruises—they carry the weight of their performance, the expectations of fans, and the fear of what’s next.

The sport doesn’t come with an off-season or a safety net. After the fight, there’s no team to share the burden. Fighters are left to process the aftermath alone. What support systems exist to help them navigate this? And if those systems aren’t enough, what needs to change?

Final Thoughts

Boxing is a sport of unmatched intensity and beauty, but its fighters are more than just athletes—they’re human beings with emotions, vulnerabilities, and struggles. As fans, we cheer for their victories, but are we doing enough to support them through their defeats?

The question isn’t just about boxing; it’s about culture. Can the sport, with its warrior ethos, help redefine strength as more than just physical toughness? Can it lead the way for men to talk openly about their mental health? And can fans learn to wield their words with care, recognising the human behind the gloves?

What do you think? Is boxing doing enough to support fighters’ mental health, or does the sport need to take greater responsibility? Share your thoughts below.

Billie Sloane takes a ‘no holes barred’ approach as he has his say on some of the major talking points in the crazy world that is boxing.