Ex-heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, 63, provides health update after mid-flight scare last month

• Boxing legend Frank Bruno had a health scare on a long-haul flight last month 
• He’s provided an update on his health after being diagnosed with a viral infection 

By SAM BROOKES

British boxing legend Frank Bruno has delivered an update on his health after suffering a scare during a long-haul flight from Heathrow last month.

The former heavyweight champion, 63, was treated by medics after landing in Doha, Qatar having fallen unwell on March 3. 

He was subsequently diagnosed with a viral infection and was told to rest in order to make a full recovery.

But now, over one month on, Bruno appears to be getting back to his usual self as he posted a photo of himself relaxing in a hammock on Instagram, while also enjoying some time with his family over the Easter holidays.

A source also told The Sun that he is planning to attend this weekend’s domestic grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The source said: ‘Frank was in a bad way for a long time and people were worried – but is now thankfully fighting back to fitness.

Frank Bruno posed in a hammock, one month on from suffering a health scare on a flight

Bruno was diagnosed with a viral infection last month and was ordered to take time off work

Bruno is one of Britain’s most popular fighters ever and won a world heavyweight title in 1995

‘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.’

Bruno was close friends with Conor’s dad, Nigel, when the pair became two of Britain’s most popular fighters ever in the 1980s and 90s.

Nigel was ringside for Bruno’s finest night when he won the WBC heavyweight title by beating Oliver McCall at Wembley Stadium in 1995.

They are likely to see each other again on Saturday night, with Nigel set to be at ringside to cheer on his son.

Bruno had a glittering career that saw him fight Mike Tyson twice and Lennox Lewis before retiring in 1996 with a professional record of 40 wins and five losses.

He has had some struggles since hanging up his gloves, and his daughter, Rachel, revealed last year that he was undergoing scans in hospital amid fears his brain is on a ‘slow decline’. 

‘We have learned recently that his brain might be on a slow decline,’ she said.

‘They are just doing scans and tests at the moment. With the impact of his career and constant knocks to the head, it’s obviously probably not helped.

Bruno is set to attend this weekend’s grudge match between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn

Bruno was close friends with Conor’s dad, Nigel (left), when they rose to fame in the 1980s and 90s

‘We don’t know how fast his brain is going to decline. It’s sad but we’re a strong family and we want to cherish these moments.’ 

Bruno has previously said he is just ‘happy’ to be alive after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

His life took a downward turn after he was sectioned in 2003 and admitted to Goodmayes Hospital where he spent a number of weeks.

He has been readmitted to hospital on occasion for treatment since, including recently in 2021 when he hit ‘rock bottom’ during the coronavirus lockdown.

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Ex-heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, 63, provides health update after mid-flight scare last month

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