Coronavirus: Tyson Fury tells British public to ‘listen to Boris and stay at home’ over UK lockdown

WBC heavyweight world champion is adhering to public health advice and remaining at home where he has installed a makeshift gym after admitting ‘I’m finished’ if he cannot continue his training

World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has issued a message to his fans instructing them to “listen to Boris” and “stay at home” following the extreme measures taken to place the United Kingdom on lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented a three-week lockdown on Monday that instructed the public to avoid leaving the house for any reason other than essential travel, food and pharmaceutical shopping and one period of exercise a day, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus that is expected to significantly increase over the coming weeks.

The Prime Minister was forced to take such drastic action after large numbers ignored advice to stay away from social gatherings, and although the nationwide measures have been installed for the next three weeks, the seriousness of the Covid-19 outbreak means the period could be extended if required.

In an effort to get Johnson’s message across to those who have so far not listened to public health advice, Fury posted a video on his Instagram page to call on everyone to heed the advice and lock themselves down until the crisis has been resolved.

“Good evening,” Fury said from his makeshift gym in his home. “Just like to say I hope everyone’s keeping well, staying safe and staying indoors and not going out and spreading the virus.

“After listening to what the Prime Minister said, I’m taking it deadly serious, as should you.

“Let’s fight this virus together as a nation, as a family, as a team and do the best we can to help others don’t get the virus.

“And stay indoors! Very, very important. Listen to Boris, stay indoors!”

The 31-year-old has previously spoken about the importance of the gym to his mental health, having said that he believes he would not survive without the ability to train each week. In a recent documentary delving into the personal life of Fury, he revealed that his worst day of the week is on Sunday when he is not scheduled to train due to his pre-planned programme, which leaves him feeling suicidal as he has nothing to occupy his thoughts.

But the current WBC heavyweight champion has moved to combat any threat of relapsing into the same mental health struggles that he experienced between 2016 and 2017 by having a gym installed at his home.

“I’ve had someone bring the gym over to me today,” he added. “I’ve got a running machine here, a few free weights. I’m going to keep fit and post daily videos of me working out to keep you going and keep me going.

“Everyone knows that without the gym, I’m finished. God bless, stay safe and stay indoors.”

Fury is 17 weeks out from his planned rematch with Deontay Wilder, with the American triggering a clause that will see them fight for the third time on 18 July – permitting the bout can go ahead at all. With all sport currently postponed or cancelled in the UK, the British Boxing Board of Control suspended all fights until the end of April at the very least, and a blockbuster summer of boxing – which was set to feature Fury vs Wilder, Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Puev, Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin, Dereck Chisora vs Oleksandr Usyk, Joe Joyce vs Daniel Dubois and a number of other exciting match-ups – now looks to be under serious threat due to the coronavirus crisis.

Last week Fury defied government advice to go to the pub to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, despite everyone being told to avoid such occasions where social gatherings were helping to spread the virus. The government responded last week by closing all pubs, bars, restaurants and leisure centres on Friday, but were forced to take further action on Monday due to the increasing death toll and number of confirmed cases.