Boxing: Bruno insists stress is the problem

Frank Bruno has refused to be branded the 'English Mike Tyson' amid claims he has turned to drugs to fight depression. The 41-year-old former world heavyweight champion has been the subject of lurid headlines after checking into the Priory Clinic following his divorce. However, he denies he has a problem.

"It's very, very sad what people are saying about me." he said. "They're trying to turn me into the English Mike Tyson, but I'm not the English Mike Tyson, I'm the English Frank Bruno, I always was.

"I don't think anybody's got a right to tape, bug, film, follow, terrorise someone like they've been terrorising me, and I think it's about time people just back off and give me a little bit of breathing space.

"I want to build a health farm on my land and build a sports academy for youngsters to get them off the street, to keep them away from all the activities out there.

"Everybody has problems. I'm okay. I've been through a lot of pressure, a lot of stress, but I'm feeling stronger and stronger and stronger every day. I've still got a little bit - about one per cent - to clear up, but 99 per cent I'm coming through."