Anthony Nelson has emerged a stronger man from some dark days and is ready to do what he does best.
The South Shields boxer, pictured right with team-mate Sam Menzies, is just nine days away from making a return to the boxing ring in his hometown, where Steve Wraith promotes on Saturday, April 28.
It is almost two years to the day since the Mal Gates’ boxer’s last fight, losing his Commonwealth super-flyweight title at the hands of Jamie Conlan in London in April, 2016.
But it wasn’t his first pro defeat which sent Nella to a bad place, it was the exit of his major sponsor and a broken promise of another title shot which led to him suffering a period of depression.
Awareness of mental health issues is now, thankfully, out in the open and no longer swept under the carpet.
Nelson, as honest and frank as ever, opened up in an interview in the Harton & westoe Miners Welfare with punch-lines over the difficulties he faced, fought and defeated.
“I was promised a fight but nothing materialised and I lost my main sponsor,” said the 33-year-old, who will box over six rounds against an, as yet, unnamed opponent at Temple Park.
“I had a wife and three kids and a mortgage to pay, so I had to go back to work.
“My work took me away, to London, to Bradford, I was doing three-week stints and 12-hour shifts, I couldn’t get to any gym, never mind Mal’s.
“Even when I was working at home, I was working long shifts, 10 to 12 hour days, I just couldn’t get to the gym.”
Nelson’s life was all work and no play and his physical well-being deteriorated as the pocket battleship piled on the pounds, he admits it took a toll on his mental health as well.
“I got depressed,” explained the popular former Horsley Hill fighter, who has shed over two stones ands looks in incredible nick.
“I wanted to train and fight but when I couldn’t get to the gym I was thinking ‘I’m done with boxing’.
“I probably went through depression for three to four months.
“I was at rock bottom, I went through a really bad time, but I came through the other end.
“I’m more financially stable now, mentally I’m in a better place and I’m wanting to fight again.
“I’m firing on all cylinders, I feel great again.”
Words: Roy Kelly
