Raven Chapman shares first words on her recovery since brain injury

World title contender Raven Chapman returns to the UK and shares first message with fans

Former WBC International featherweight champion, Raven Chapman, has thankfully returned home to the UK to continue her rehabilitation process surrounded by the love of her family and close ones, after facing the toughest challenge of her life, following a severe medical emergency during training.

The 32-year-old collapsed on July 24, 2026, after the end of an intense training session in Denmark, sparring with Dina Thorslund. The female fighter was immediately airlifted to a specialised hospital, where doctors diagnosed a brain hematoma and cerebral edema.

The Dane was sparring with her good friend, Raven, in preparation for her undisputed bantamweight fight with Cherneka Johnson on August 8. Despite the tragedy, Dina triumphed and paid tribute to her friend following victory in Florida.

Given the severity of Chapman's injury, she underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and control the swelling, subsequently being placed in a medically induced coma to facilitate her stabilization.

After several days of immense uncertainty and intensive monitoring, Chapman’s family confirmed that the former world champion was discharged to be transferred back to Britain.

“After everything that has happened, having her back home, surrounded by her family, is something incredibly special. There is still a long road ahead and we are taking things one day at a time, but Raven continues to amaze us with her strength, positivity, and determination,” her family expressed in a statement signed by her sister Poppy, her mother, and loved ones.

The brave Briton re-emerged on social media to issue her first public words since the terrifying incident, “I feel so fortunate to be back home and surrounded by my family,” Chapman shared across her digital platforms, sparking a wave of support and relief throughout the international boxing community.

In response to the emergency, a fundraising campaign was launched to assist with her repatriation, medical logistics, and subsequent rehabilitation. To date, the initiative has raised nearly £100,000, displaying the tremendous affection and respect the boxer has earned within the sports industry.

“We cannot thank you enough for all the love you have shown her. Every donation, every message, and every word of encouragement has meant more to Raven and our family than we could ever express,” added the Chapman family, confirming that the fundraiser will remain open to back her long-term recovery needs.

The WBC shared this emotive message of support, "The World Boxing Council and the global boxing community celebrate Raven Chapman’s favourable progress. While the sporting aspect remains entirely in the background, the absolute priority for our beloved champion, continues to be her health, her well-being, and her step-by-step journey toward a complete recovery outside the squared circle."

GBN would also like to wish Raven all the very best with her recovery process.

For those wishing to join and support the former champion during this crucial phase of her recovery, the official campaign remains active at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/funds-to-repatriate-raven-for-medical-care

Everything you need to know about Raven Chapman

Raven Chapman was born on New Years Day on January 1st, 1994, in Norwich, England.

She was introduced to boxing from a young age by playing around on the pads with her Dad.

In her amateur career, she won the 2016 England Boxing National Amateur Championships elite female featherweight title, came runner-up in the Three Nations Elites in 2018 and 2019, both times losing to Vicky Glover, and also represented England and Team GB on the international stage.

She decided to turn pro after defeat in The Golden Girl Championship Tournament Semi-finals in Sweden in 2020.

She is trained by professional boxing trainer, Stuart Scott.

Raven is nicknamed "The Omen".

Chapman won her pro debut on September 25, 2021, via fifth-round stoppage in Sheffield.

After impressing in her first two fights, Chapman signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren in February 2022. Her maiden fight under Queensbury Promotions in May 2020 was a first-round knockout of Gabriella Mezei at York Hall in London.

She won vacant WBC female International featherweight title in her fourth fight in September 2022. She went on to make four successful defences of the belt.

She suffered the loss of her cousin Frank in 2023 and dedicated her December fight at the York Hall against Lucie Sedlackova to him, stating, "I wore blue and white to dedicate this fight to my late cousin Frank as these were his colours... that one was for you."

Having secured mandatory challenger, Chapman fought WBC female featherweight champion Skye Nicolson at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, in October 2024, in what was the first-ever women's world title boxing fight held in Saudi Arabia, and the first women’s bout to feature on a Riyadh Season show. Nicolson won by unanimous decision, inflicting the first loss of Chapman's professional career.

Chapman then faced Karriss Artingstall in another historic fight for the inaugural British female featherweight title at the Royal Albert Hall in London on March 7, 2025. She was knocked down in the second round, but recovered to finish the bout to see out a unanimous decision defeat.

She stands tall at 5' 7" (170cm).

Unbelievably, when she first started boxing she would freeze up under the pressure, and now urges other young, aspiring female boxers to believe in their selves, “I actually didn’t do very well when I first started. Every time I fought it was almost like freezing on stage when I first started boxing. I would get in the ring and it was almost like I would freeze, and I wouldn’t work as much as I should do. I had lost more than I had won. I just lacked a bit of confidence and I just thought you know I like it and I know I want this. ”