Frank Bruno health update after mid-air emergency saw him fall ‘seriously ill' on flight & spend weeks in hospital
The former heavyweight champion was in a "really bad way" after being floored by a potentially life-threatening illness mid-air
BOUNCING BACK Frank Bruno health update after mid-air emergency saw him fall 'seriously ill' on flight & spend weeks in hospital
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FRANK Bruno has made a 'dramatic' recovery after being struck down on a flight to the Far East and spending weeks in hospital.
Boxing legend Bruno plans to attend the Conor Benn v Chris Eubank Jnr bout in London this weekend - and return to his national speaking tour next month.
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Frank donned his signature grin and with his sunnies at the ready on his flight bound for Thailand
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Glory days: Frank mid-tussle with heavyweight rival Mike Tyson
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It comes after we told how ex-World Heavyweight champ Bruno, 63, was rushed to the hospital in Qatar after falling ill on a long-haul flight on March 3.
He was treated by medics in the country's capital, Doha, for several weeks after the mid-air drama as he travelled to Thailand.
Doctors diagnosed him with a viral infection and did not allow Bruno, whose PA, Paul Hunter, stayed by his side, to leave the hospital.
National treasure Bruno was feared to have contracted meningitis at one point, and was also treated when he returned to the UK.
The star was too ill to pick up a Lifetime Achievement gong at the British Boxing awards at the end of March, but plans to make public appearances from next month.
A source said: 'Frank was in a bad way for a long time and people were worried - but is now thankfully fighting back to fitness.
"His recovery has been as dramatic as his illness, and he is looking forward to the fight on Saturday.
"He is well enough to be ringside and will doubtless chat to fans at the event.
"Frank really wanted to be there and obviously knows both Benn and Eubank's fathers as well as the fighters themselves.
"He has spent Easter with family and friends and thankfully is now on the mend.
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Lennox Lewis swapping swipes with Frank for the WBC heavyweight title 1993, in Cardiff
Credit: Getty
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Standing tall: Frank with his hard earned WBC belt on 1st November 1995, London
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
"Frank is looking forward to getting back out and about and is really grateful to his fans and the public for their support.'
Dad of four, Bruno has been sent thousands of 'get well' cards by the public since we told you last month of his mid-air health battle.
In a recent social media post, he said: "I am getting better and have been told to convalesce for a few weeks.
"Thank you for all your messages, I now have enough for two new chapters of a book - the last month has been eventful!"
After he fell ill on March 3, Bruno was treated on the Qatar Airways flight, then by airport medics after landing in Doha.
He was then whisked 10 miles to the Al Wakra Hospital, where baffled medics eventually diagnosed a viral infection.
Bruno has not cleared passport control so could not leave, and stayed in the hospital in the Middle East for two weeks, before flying home and continuing his recovery in the UK.
The star had been due to talk at four events in Thailand but suffered "fever-like" symptoms on the connecting flight to Doha.
As he boarded the plane at Heathrow, he had posted a picture of himself in his seat, smiling and with sunglasses perched on his head.
But he fell seriously ill soon after take-off.
Bruno is now set to make a private appearance at an event on Wednesday, May 7, before public appearances three days later in Norfolk and on May 17 in Bradford.
His national speaking tour marks the 30th anniversary of Bruno's WBC heavyweight triumph over Oliver McCall at Wembley in 1995.
Our source added: "In typical Frank fashion, he was worried about letting fans down in Thailand - but that should not happen with his UK events."
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