Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I know what you mean, Harry
Frank backs Prince over mental health
BOXING legend Frank Bruno has backed Prince Harry’s mental health crusade – saying the sport is a key weapon to K.O. stigma.
The ex-world heavyweight champ, 55, praised the brave royal for revealing how he turned to boxing to cope with mother Princess Diana’s death.
And Frank – diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003 – said: “I think everyone should do a bit of boxing training.
“Exercise and keeping fit is the best medicine if you suffer with a mental health problem.”
Prince Harry said last week that his life had been “in chaos” after two decades suppressing grief.
The 32-year-old said he finally faced his pain at 28 when he was “on the verge of punching someone”.
Now Frank, who works alongside the Sunday Mirror on our Time to Change campaign, has said: “It was incredibly brave of Harry to come out like he did.
“He lost his mum at 12 and now he’s been very honest and his words are very powerful. There are a lot of people going through mental health problems who won’t come out with it. I’d love to get Prince Harry in for a sparring session. I admire the guy, he’s done a lot for the Armed Forces, charity work in Africa and the UK. And what he says about boxing is spot on.”
Frank – famed for his “Know what I mean, ’Arry?” catchphrase when talking to BBC commentator Harry Carpenter – has launched his own charity to help the rising number of people with mental ill-health.
The Frank Bruno Foundation aims to provide support and motivation using exercise and non-contact boxing.
Frank, whose son Franklin regularly goes to a boxing gym, said of training: “It’s not about getting in the ring and knocking 10 bells out of each other. It’s good for the focus and concentration.”
Frank, who has been sectioned three times and admitted himself to hospital, is fighting fit again and back to his best.
Later this year he will release a new book telling the story of his recovery.