Boxer, 18, dies with husband by her side days after being knocked out
By Benson Mbare, September 3, 2021
Mexican boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata has tragically passed away aged 18.
Zapata was knocked out in the fourth round of her GYM Gala International Boxing bout against Canadian boxer Marie-Pier Houle on Saturday night.
She suffered a series of power punches in the corner of the ring and was stunned by an uppercut towards the end of the fourth round, before a right hook caused her mouth guard to fly out, leaving her unable to return to the corner after the bell rang.
Zapata began convulsing moments later and was promptly taken to hospital.
Doctors placed the boxer into a medically-induced coma, although she eventually passed away with her husband by her side.
The event’s promoter, Groupe Yvon Michel, announced the passing of Zapata on Thursday.
Fight promoter Yvon Michel briefed on Sunday that Zapata had been placed in a medically induced coma, and confirmed her death on Thursday.
Her devastated opponent Houle paid tribute to her late opponent following the announcement, writing on social media: “I extend my deepest condolences to her family and spouse Jovanni Martinez.
Zapata’s clash with Houle, which took place at the IGA Stadium in Montreal, was her sixth as a professional boxer.
Zapata had lost three of her previous five fights, the last of which was a knockout defeat to Cynthia Lozano in May.