I’m a New Age Traveller making my way in the world of boxing but unlike other female fighters I’ll NEVER strip naked
RAVEN CHAPMAN wants to sling the WBC featherweight world title in her campervan and vanish – fully clothed and goofy – into the wilderness.
The nomadic 30-year-old fighter is listed as being from Norwich and based in High Wycombe but – having been proudly born into the New Age Travelling community – never stays in one place too long.
She does, however, stay fully clothed during fight week – unlike some female fighters who use their assets to boost their earnings.
It’s a decision she knows has cost her financially but a bold moral move she can take around the world – not just to the bank.
Ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Australian champ Skye Nicolson, The Omen told SunSport: “I believe in my boxing ability and I know I don’t need to do that to achieve what I want in boxing. I let my fists – and how I fight – do the talking.
“When I weigh in, I wear my fight-camp t-shirt and shorts.
“It sometimes makes me sad when you see young and talented girls doing that to get noticed, that saddens me, it’s a shame that girls think they have to use their body as their tool, rather than their skills.
“It’s not just in women’s boxing, it’s across women’s sport, so it’s important to stand up for the way that I do it.
“I am not looking down on anyone for how they do it – I understand it if they need attention and want to make more money – but at what cost?
“It’s also just not me, it’s not my personality. I’m goofy – I don’t try to pretend I am some sexy creature.
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“I am just me and I want to be remembered as a good boxer, not the person who got their kit off.”
Living off-grid has become a popular trend since the Covid-19 lockdown but it’s much more than an Instagram fad for the 9-0 ace.
“I was born in Norwich,” she confirmed. “But I have never been there since, let alone lived there.
“It has shaped me and the quirky interests I have and things that I like.
“I want to be outdoors and in nature, there’s always an adventure outdoors. And it’s a community that is so proud of me and what I am doing.
“I am proud of my heritage, I am a free spirit, I never live anywhere too long, I move house a lot.
“I get bored easily and want to experience new things. Material things people chase after are often irrelevant.
“I still have so much stuff, I want to get rid of most of it and just have enough to sling in my van and go.”
SunBoxing believes that the peak of a fighter’s career is so short and dangerous – unlike that of football, tennis and golf stars – that they deserve to make their money anywhere.
But Chapman is honest and decent enough to admit that she had to consider her role in helping the controversial kingdom continue its revolution – even though one rule did make the last week of training a bit tricky.
“I have been out to Saudi a few times now and have always been treated very well,” The Unibet ambassador said.
“I was never worried about coming here, I just wanted it to be respectful, even though I am not the sort of person who walks around with their t*ts and a*** out anyway.
“People might ask how I can box in a country where women’s rights are lower.
“But the fact they have a women’s fight on the card shows progression and where it might go in the future. I am trying to focus on where things are going.
“As a woman, I am walking around Saudi in trousers, a t-shirt and no headscarf and hopefully things continue like that and get better. But I can only go on my own experiences.
“I see women’s only gyms, at my hotel there are separate men’s and women’s gyms and that can be an issue when I have an all-male team!
“But we work around that and I just respect their rules and culture.”