Frank Bruno in mid-air emergency after falling ‘seriously ill’ on flight prompting docs to take drastic action
BOXING legend Frank Bruno was rushed to hospital after falling seriously ill on a long-haul flight.
The former world heavyweight champ was left “in a really bad way” as he headed off on a speaking tour.
Bruno retired from boxing after his 1996 defeat to Mike Tyson[/caption]
The father of four, who was feverish, was treated by airport medics after landing in Doha, Qatar, before he was whisked to a hospital ten miles away for a series of urgent tests.
Dad-of-four Frank, 63, had posed for a photo before the mid-air drama this month.
Doctors eventually diagnosed him with a viral infection — and kept him in for nearly two weeks, taking his passport so he could not try to leave.
Last night his manager said he was recovering and looking to return to work “as soon as possible”.
Bruno had been due to talk at four events in Thailand so took a connecting Qatar Airways flight on March 3 from Heathrow to Doha.
He posted a picture of himself in his seat, smiling with sunglasses perched on his head.
He wrote: “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.”
But Bruno, travelling with his PA Paul Hunter, became ill soon after take-off, with crew alerted to his plight.
A source said: “Frank was fine when he boarded the plane — but quickly went downhill during the flight. He was in a really bad way and they were unsure what the problem was.
“It was extremely worrying as it was mid-flight so he was stuck on the plane.
“Paul 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.
“Paul was worried but was doing his best to keep him calm. He was treated on the flight to Doha, in the airport and then at the hospital.
Frank was fine when he boarded the plane — but quickly went downhill during the flight
A source
“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 — who recently starred in Amazon Prime documentary Four Kings alongside fellow Brit fighters Lennox Lewis, Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank — was due to start his Thailand tour on March 6.
But he was forced to cancel as medics kept him at the Al Wakra Hospital until he improved.
His PA — UB40’s former tour manager — stayed with him and kept loved ones informed.
Boxing champ Frank with wife Laura in 1995, who he split from in 2001[/caption]
Frank took a connecting Qatar Airways flight on March 3 from Heathrow to Doha[/caption]
Frank — awarded an MBE for services to boxing in 1990 — is now “on the mend” and has returned to Britain. Our source went on: “Frank was severely ill but, thankfully, got good treatment in Doha.
“The hospital he was at is very modern and the biggest in Qatar, and he was in good hands. He and Paul were grateful to the medics for the way they looked after him.
“They had to monitor him really closely when he first came in, and that’s why they took his passport.
“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.
“By the end of his time in Qatar, Frank was getting frustrated as he was bored and wanted to leave.
“But they did not take any chances and let him leave only when his condition had improved.”
Bruno’s Thailand tour was scheduled to kick off in Pattaya, before more dates with fans in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Koh Phangan.
Our source said: “In typical Frank fashion, he was more worried about supposedly letting his fans down.
By the end of his time in Qatar, Frank was getting frustrated as he was bored and wanted to leave
A source
“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.”
However Bruno’s management has cancelled a scheduled appearance on Sunday at Manchester’s Hotel Football.
It is hoped he will be able to fulfil UK tour commitments in May and June, including an “Evening With” bash at Birmingham City FC.
Bruno hung up his gloves in 1996 after a defeat to Mike Tyson.
He then struggled after quitting and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1998, before splitting with wife Laura in 2001.
Bruno is now a mental health campaigner. He told The Sun in 2021 that he was sectioned — for a fifth time — during lockdown.
He spent six weeks in hospital after family and friends feared for his safety — and Bruno bravely admitted: “I hit rock bottom.”
Sources said his Qatar ordeal was not linked to mental health issues.
His manager Dave Davies said: “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.”
Frank’s scare came after England footie legend Stuart Pearce spent five days in hospital due to chest pains on a flight home from the US. Stuart is now “in good form” recovering.
- To visit the ex-boxer’s foundation please go to thefrankbrunofoundation.co.uk
30YRS ON FROM EPIC WORLD WIN
FRANK Bruno’s planned UK tour this year will celebrate 30 years since his greatest achievement — beating Oliver McCall to land the WBC heavyweight title.
He outpointed the American in front of a frenzied Wembley crowd in September 1995 — landing the world crown on his fourth attempt.
Londoner Frank had made his professional debut in 1982 and became a fan favourite, winning 21 consecutive bouts by KO.
He also enjoyed a long-standing TV double act with BBC boxing presenter Harry Carpenter.
He popped up on TV shows, Comic Relief appeals and appeared in pantos, with the nation loving his “Know what I mean, ’Arry?” catchphrase.
His first world title loss came against Tim Witherspoon in 1986, before defeats to Mike Tyson in 1989 and Lennox Lewis in 1993.
After beating McCall, his first defence was against Tyson, who stopped him in round three.
Bruno suffered eye damage in the 1996 fight and retired — with a career record of 40 wins from 45 bouts, 38 by knockout.
The star has been open about his battles with mental health since quitting.
He helps others via his charity The Frank Bruno Foundation, and his book 60 Years a Fighter was published to mark his birthday in 2021.
The Sun was invited to the landmark bash, with tributes from stars including Tyson, Stephen Fry and Ricky Hatton.
