Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno has spoken out after a ‘tough few weeks’ having fallen ‘seriously ill’ on a long-haul flight earlier this month.
Bruno was supposed to be heading on to Thailand as part of a speaking tour but fell ill midway through the first part of his long-haul journey.
The father of four was treated by airport medics after landing in Doha, Qatar with a ‘feverish’ condition before being taken to hospital for further tests.
The Sun reported that the British boxing icon was then kept in Al Wakra Hospital hospital for two weeks with his passport taken away to prevent him from leaving.
The heavyweight legend has now provided an update on his condition, confirming it was a ‘viral infection’ that hospitalised him.
Bruno regularly makes speaking appearances at functions across the country but for now has been advised not to return to work.
‘Morning so my illness story is out! Now you know why I have been quiet on social media,’ Bruno wrote on X.
‘The last 3 weeks have been tough especially not knowing what was wrong with me and a Viral infection can mean loads of things between Dave [Davies, Bruno’s manager] in the office and me we’ll keep you informed.
‘At the moment I am told I cannot go to work so for the jobs last week and this weekend please accept my apology however the office is telling me most bookers want to transfer the booked dates. The office tells me already this morning hundreds of messages from well wishers so thank you. Cant wait to get back to work.’
Bruno’s manager Davies told The Sun: ‘Frank was flying out to work in Thailand when he was taken ill on the plane at Doha.
‘Medical crew attended Frank on the plane and at hospital. He’s now recovering and hopes to be back at work as soon as possible.’
Prior to taking off on the flight, Bruno had posted a picture on Facebook from his plan seat with the caption: ‘Morning so the Frank Bruno World tour continues. Up early for a plane, I don’t sleep well on planes but trying to catch up on some zzzzzzzzzzzs.’
However, the former boxer soon began to feel ill, with his condition deteriorating as the journey went on.
‘Frank was in a bad way and was sweating profusely and had fever-like symptoms,’ a source told the Sun.
‘Doctors were really worried and carried out all sorts of tests, including for meningitis. They then diagnosed him with a viral infection, which at least meant they could start treating him.’
Bruno was scheduled for a four-talk tour, starting in Pattaya before moving on to Bangkok, Hua Hin and Koh Phangan.
‘In typical Frank fashion, he was more worried about supposedly letting his fans down,’ the Sun’s source added.
^^^ before he fell ill
“He is massively popular in Thailand and a lot of expats go to his shows. But there was nothing he could do. Thankfully he’s now on the mend.’
It is hoped that Bruno, given an MBE for services to boxing in 1990, will complete a full recovery in time to fulfil UK tour commitments in May and June.
In his prime, Bruno was one of the biggest names in British sport in the late 1980s and 90s, a ferocious and endearing heavyweight with 38 of his 40 victories in the ring coming via knockout.
His crowning moment came in 1995 when he beat Oliver McCall at Wembley to win the WBC heavyweight title on home soil.
The Londoner also twice shared the ring with Mike Tyson in 1989 and 1996 with that second meeting proving to be his last fight before he retired with a record of 40 wins and five losses.
