Frank Bruno reveals he was sectioned during lockdown

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno has admitted being sectioned during lockdown after having a breakdown. 

Bruno, 59, said that the loss of friends due to covid and lockdown  stresses led him to a breakdown and being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The former boxer, who has bipolar disorder, was taken by the police to Luton and Central Bedfordshire Hospital mental health unit on June 28, 2020, and remained there for six weeks after fears grew over his safety, The Sun reports. 

Frank said: 'It has been the hardest and most terrifying time of my life. I hit rock bottom and ­suffered a breakdown.

Frank, who struggled after quitting boxing, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1998 and was sectioned for the first time in 2003. 

The dad of four, who was divorced from wife Laura in 2001, added: '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.'

Bruno also said that being forced to stay at home under the lockdown felt ten times scarier than entering the ring for a boxing match. 

He said that all of the routine and structure in his life vanished when the lockdown was implemented, resulting in him feeling like a prisoner in his own home.

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However, friends and family began to worry for his safety after he began training excessively in the gym - with the intention of arranging boxing matches. 

Additionally, Bruno called his agent asking for £60,000 to be transferred in order for him to buy a car worth just a third of that value. 

Following his stint in hospital, Bruno is now on medication - and he is set to reveal more extended details about his battle in a book out next month, titled Frank Bruno: 60 Years A Fighter.

Bruno competed between 1982 and 1996 as a professional boxer and was crowned the WBC heavyweight champion in 1995 after defeating Oliver McCall.

And last month marked the 25th anniversary of Bruno rising to the pinnacle of his sport, bursting with pride at Wembley Stadium after defeating Oliver McCall to be crowned heavyweight champion of the world.

It was the fourth time lucky for Bruno, who faced adversity head on and was determined to be labelled the best, regardless of how many times it took.

Throughout his glittering career, Bruno fought some of boxing's biggest names, including Mike Tyson in 1989 and 1996 and Lennox Lewis in 1993.  

The match against Lewis was the first time in history that two British boxers had gone head-to-head to compete for the world heavyweight title.

Bruno retired not long after claiming his world heavyweight crown against McCall.

Part of the agreement for the fight meant he was contractually obliged to face Mike Tyson, who beat him after three rounds.

Tyson inflicted a serious eye injury on Bruno, with medical professionals advising he should not fight again, otherwise he would run the risk of making the injury worse.

Sam Baker For Mailonline