Kell Brook Needs Help, But Boxing Shouldn’t Be Part Of The Therapy

Kell Brook Needs Help, But Boxing Shouldn’t Be Part Of The Therapy

From the evidence of the video that has been widely and shamelessly shared across social media over the past few days, Kell Brook needs help and some new friends.

Brook has now broken his silence on the subject with words of apology on his various social media platforms:

‘I messed up, I hold my hands up & want to apologise to my family, gym, friends & fans.

‘It’s no secret that I struggle with mental health & I’m finding retirement really hard. I’m actively seeking the help I need to get me on the right path. Again, I apologise for the hurt I’ve caused.’

The former IBF welterweight champion isn’t the first fighter to struggle in retirement and make no mistake, he certainly won’t be the last. Once the bright lights have dimmed and a fighter loses his purpose, misses the discipline of a training camp, and the buzz of a fight week, they find replacing the addictive natures of boxing immensely difficult. Boxing is a sport that gives them something they struggle to find elsewhere. Life becomes pointless and empty, fighters drift, and they get lost in their own thoughts of solitude.

Brook is in a difficult situation but by no means a hopeless one. He appears to have accepted that he needs help with his mental health. That acceptance is the most important step on the road to recover. The importance of his social media post shouldn’t be underestimated. Many don’t even get that far.

There is talk of fighting again, but the whispers from within need to be ignored, especially if it is coming from anyone who had a hand in sharing that aforementioned video. Brook doesn’t need people like that in his life. Promoters will be circling like vultures looking to cash in with the aim of using Brook has the sacrificial lamb for their next big thing. The Sheffield fighter has already been mentioned as a possible opponent for the imminent return of Conor Benn. Brook deserves better than this.

For many reasons, Brook must accept his fighting days are over. Another fight will only offer temporary relief from his inner demons. A win will change nothing. If he then retires again, Brook will be in exactly the same position as he is now. A loss will likely see him spiral into a deeper depression. Lacing up the gloves once again solves nothing, and nobody should be pushing him in that direction.

Brook left the sport on that incredible high last February, finally getting that fight with his bitter rival Amir Khan and beating him. Nothing will ever top that moment. In truth, how could it? Brook looked good against Khan, but he shouldn’t be fooled into thinking he has found a magic cure for father time. He looked good against his bitter rival because Khan was a severely diminished fighter. Brook had more left in the tank, he was a less faded fighter. It was that simple. Nothing more. Even before the recent revelations about his fragile mental health Brook didn’t need a return to the ring. He needs it even less now.

At 36, Brook still has his whole life ahead of him, he doesn’t need a comeback to enhance the quality of his life going forward. A return to boxing will lessen it in the short-term and more crucially, in the long-term.

Brook needs help but boxing isn’t the answer. He just needs something in his life to fill the void that has been left by the absence of boxing. The hope is, that he finds what he needs. And quickly.