Boxing legend Frank Bruno plans to attend Conor Benn’s bout with Chris Eubank Jr this weekend after recovering from a sudden illness on a long-haul flight. Bruno enjoyed a stellar career, losing just five bouts and winning the WBC heavyweight title in 1995.
He has remained an active member of the boxing world since his retirement in 1996 due to an eye injury. Bruno has been embarking on a speaking tour to mark 30 years since his title win.
One of his stops on the tour had been scheduled to be in Thailand at the start of March. But the former boxer did not reach his destination having been taken ill on the long-haul flight from Heathrow.
He was rushed to hospital in Qatar, where he was treated by medics for several weeks. Bruno was later diagnosed with a viral infection and he was unable to leave the hospital in Doha.
The 63-year-old was also treated once he was able to return to the United Kingdom and was too ill to pick up a Lifetime Achievement gong at the British Boxing awards at the end of March. But he is now planning to make his first public appearance.
According to The Sun, Bruno was first treated on his Qatar Airways flight and then by airport medics. He was then taken to the Al Wakra Hospital 10 miles away and stayed in the hospital for two weeks.
He then returned to the UK, having been in a ‘bad way’ for some time. Now he is on the way back to full fitness, with his recovery described as being ‘as dramatic as his illness’.
Bruno is said to be ‘looking forward’ to attending Saturday’s much-anticipated fight between Benn and Eubank Jnr. He is set to take up a ringside seat for the bout, with the former boxer ‘really wanting’ to attend.
He had spent Easter with his family and friends, with his recovery continuing. Bruno had been sent thousands of ‘get well soon’ cards by his fans since his sudden illness was revealed.
He recently paid tribute to those who had sent him messages of support as he began his recovery. 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!”
Following Saturday’s fight, Bruno is scheduled to make a private appearance at an event on 7 May. He will then appear three days later in Norfolk, before travelling to an event in Bradford.
Those events will see his national speaking tour restart as he celebrates 30 years since his WBC heavyweight triumph over Oliver McCall at Wembley in 1995. Bruno had been concerned about ‘letting fans down’ in Thailand and is keen for that not to happen in the UK.
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