Professional boxer Deontay Wilder has opened up about how close he was to taking his life at a time that he faced some challenges.
While speaking with BT Sports, Wilder disclosed his past battle with depression after the birth of his daughter in 2005. She was born with a spinal condition that nearly made her unable to walk.
The sportsman revealed that paying his daughter’s medical bills was a serious challenge and opened the way to depression, leading to the suicide attempt.
The lowest moment for me in my life was years and years and years ago, I think when my daughter was first born back in 2005. But in 2006 it became very rocky for me, to the point where I lost my family, to the point where I had a gun in my lap and I was ready to commit suicide myself.
Those thoughts come to your head – we’re all human. Those thoughts come to anyone’s head that is going through some type of depression or going through different things in your lives. You think the only way to end all of this is to end your life. You are not thinking about anyone else, you’re just thinking about yourself and what’s going on.
"I lost my family. I had a gun in my lap and was ready to commit suicide myself."
"We all pray that are kids are born healthy."@BronzeBomber opens up about struggles with depression early on in his life. pic.twitter.com/wojJ1GXcLX
— Boxing on BT Sport ? (@BTSportBoxing) February 3, 2020
Deontay Leshun Wilder is an American professional boxer who had held the WBC heavyweight title since 2015.
Entering the world of boxing at the age of 20 (considered a late start), Wilder won a bronze medal as an amateur in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics.
He is known for his formidable punching power, having knocked down or knocked out every opponent he has ever faced.
Wilder’s knockout-to-win ration stands at 98%, with 20 knockouts in the first round. He has won the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award twice (2016 and 2017), and the Ring magazine Knockout of the Year award in 2019.
