British boxer Raven Chapman has emergency surgery for bleed on brain

British boxer Raven Chapman has undergone emergency brain surgery in Denmark after collapsing following a sparring session, her management has confirmed.

The 32-year-old, who competed for the WBC world featherweight title back in 2024, was placed in a medically induced coma after the procedure to address a bleed and swelling on her brain.

Chapman is now off sedatives and is awaiting medically supervised repatriation to a UK hospital, where a lengthy rehabilitation is anticipated. A GoFundMe page has been established to support her recovery.

Her management company, Vote Boxing, issued a statement detailing the incident.

“On Friday, July 24, Raven unexpectedly collapsed after a sparring session in Denmark,” the statement began. “Emergency services were called immediately, and she was airlifted to a local hospital. She was diagnosed with a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema. Raven underwent emergency surgery immediately.

Chapman fought for the WBC featherweight world title in 2024 (Getty)

“The procedure successfully stopped the bleeding and helped stabilise the swelling. She was then placed in a medically induced coma. Over the past day, she has been taken off the sedatives and is continuing to receive treatment while awaiting medically supervised repatriation to a hospital in the UK, where her rehabilitation is expected to take some time.

“Her doctors are doing everything they can to support her recovery, and we remain hopeful as she continues to fight through this incredibly difficult time.”

The Norwich-born boxer holds a professional record of 10 wins and two losses, with one of those defeats coming in October 2024 against Australia’s Skye Nicolson when world honours were on the line.

She then lost her next bout on points against Olympic bronze medalist Karriss Artingstall in March 2025, but bounced back to win her latest contest against Georgia Klein in June. Chapman claimed victory via fourth-round knockout to return to winning ways inside the squared circle.

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Frank Warren, founder of Queensberry Promotions, with whom Chapman was previously associated, shared his support on X: “Raven is fully in my thoughts this morning, I’m really hoping she can pull through and get home safely. Everyone at Queensberry is behind you Raven, we’re all hoping you can pull through this.”

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