Raven Chapman credits trainer’s quick response as she recovers from brain bleed

Raven Chapman has credited trainer Stuart Scott’s quick response with potentially saving her life after she suffered a brain bleed following a sparring session in Denmark. Speaking to BBC South Today, the 32-year-old boxer thanked both her coach and the supporters who helped fund her return to Britain and continuing recovery.

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Chapman was airlifted to hospital and placed in a medically induced coma after the incident on 24 July, BBC Sport reported. She was diagnosed with a brain haematoma and cerebral oedema. Surgery stopped the bleeding and helped stabilise the swelling, beginning a recovery that initially left her needing a wheelchair.

Recalling the session, Chapman said it had been her third spar of the week and that she had felt well beforehand. She said Scott noticed she was not behaving normally and called an ambulance before she collapsed. Chapman believed she had reached surgery within an hour of that call, stressing the importance of a trainer who knew her usual behaviour from their many rounds together.

An online appeal raised £97,792 towards bringing Chapman home and supporting her longer-term recovery. According to the BBC, leading donors included her promoter Queensberry, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn and Most Valuable Promotions’ Nakisa Bidarian. Chapman said the response from the boxing community had been deeply moving and that she intended to use the donations to support her rehabilitation.

The Norwich-born fighter, who trains at Warriors Gym in High Wycombe, won 10 of her 12 professional bouts. She challenged Skye Nicolson for the WBC featherweight title in October 2024 but was beaten. Earlier in her career, Chapman trained in Bournemouth alongside former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith, who was among the boxers to send her a message of support.

Chapman said she doubted she would receive another boxing licence and would be reluctant to risk putting her loved ones through another such experience even if she were cleared. She described the disappointment of being unable to pursue her ambitions in the ring, while raising the possibility of eventually helping other fighters achieve theirs. She has not yet decided what that role might be.

This week, Chapman put on boxing gloves again, a moment she described to the BBC with evident pleasure. Although she may never fight or spar again, she said working on pads and bags still allowed her to enjoy the skills of the sport as her recovery continues.