In Belfast, Gill had just overrun and subdued Conlan. It was his greatest triumph to date. We had no idea, though, that Gill was fighting against something far more serious than boxing. The British man told the audience, “I was in a field on June 30, I drank a litre of vodka, and I was going to kill myself.” In a sport where toughness, resiliency, and bravery are prized, boxer 29-year-old took a risk by talking about his own battle with mental health. After suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Kiko Martinez in the previous year, Gill remained mute about his anxieties and depressive episodes. “After losing to Martinez, I stayed at home for a few months.
Now that he has launched a gym close to his Cambridgeshire hometown, Gill wants to inspire people to put their mental health first. “My message to people who are struggling is these feelings, whatever you are going through, whatever you are feeling, it is just temporary,” he stated. “Whether it’s going to the gym, eating a little cleaner, or taking a morning walk, you can make great changes in your life. The best days are still to come.” After a difficult and protracted break of 14 months, Gill returned to the ring with an impressive stoppage victory over Conlan. In his 28th professional bout, the Chatteris boxer—a significant underdog versus the Belfast fighter—saw his 28th win.
