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Boxing

21st Mar 2025

Frank Bruno rushed to hospital after falling ‘seriously ill’ on flight

Zoe Hodges

He quickly went downhill

Boxing legend Frank Bruno has been rushed to hospital after falling ill on a long-haul flight.

The 63-year-old felt feverish and was taken to hospital after landing for a stopover in Doha, Qatar after taking a trip from Heathrow to Thailand on March 3.

The Father-of-four had early been pictured smiling for a photograph shortly after boarding the plane at the London airport before he ‘quickly went downhill’.

He said: “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.”

Doctors diagnosed him with a viral infection and kept him in for nearly two weeks, confiscating his passport so he could not try to leave.

The former WBC heavyweight champion had been due to take part in four ‘audiences with fans’ in Pattaya, Bangkok, Hua Hin and Koh Phangan.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Frank Bruno takes part in an onstage Q&A for Four Kings at Prime Video’s star-studded showcase event, Prime Video Presents Sport at ODEON Luxe West End on August 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Prime Video)

His manager told The Sun that Bruno is hoping to return to work ‘as soon as possible’ following his health scare.

A source close to the boxer added: “It was extremely worrying as it was mid-flight so he was stuck on the plane.

“Paul [Hunter, his personal assistant] and Frank thought it might be food poisoning but it turned out to be worse than that. Frank was in a bad way and was sweating profusely and had fever-like symptoms.

“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.

“They feared Frank might think he was better before he was and try to discharge himself. But Frank was too ill to leave anyway, as he battled the infection.

“In typical Frank fashion, he was more worried about supposedly letting his fans down.”

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