Frank Bruno, MBE, given freedom of the City of London

Former heavyweight world champion Frank Bruno has said receiving the Freedom of the City of London for his sporting achievements and mental health campaigning “means more to me than the MBE”.

Bruno, who has spoken openly about his mental health, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after retirement in 1996, and has been sectioned several times.

In 2017 he set up the Frank Bruno Foundation, which offers a non-contact boxing programme to people suffering or recovering from mental health difficulties.

Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation said Bruno’s “tireless campaigning work” regarding men’s mental health had “certainly” saved lives.

Bruno, 64, was honoured at a ceremony at the Guildhall, where he recommended that other men speak out when they “don’t feel too good”.

“I think there’s a lot more needs to be achieved by men like us… coming out and saying, ‘I don’t feel too good, I don’t feel right, I’m doing crazy things and doing odd things’,” he said.

Of his boxing programme, he said participants could start by “detoxing down at the boxing ring” and “sit down and chat to people”.

Bruno started boxing aged nine and became the youngest amateur British champion at 18.

Born in Hammersmith, west London, he was made an MBE in 1990.

In 1995 he beat Oliver McCall to become the World Boxing Council Heavyweight Champion. The following year he retired.

He was nominated for the City of London award by former lord mayor of the City of London, alderman Alastair King, who served last year, and alderman Robert Howard.

Mr Howard said: “Frank Bruno has become an inspirational figure, not only for his hugely impressive achievements in the boxing ring but also for how he has spoken with admirable courage and candour about his mental health challenges.

“We are today recognising, perhaps even celebrating, his significant contribution to opening up these sensitive topics for discussion and reflection.”