Boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, 18, dies after sustaining head injuries in bout
Mexican boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata died on Thursday, days after she was knocked unconscious during a match in Montreal, according to the CBC.
She was 18.
Zapata was fighting Marie-Pier Houle at IGA stadium in Montreal on Saturday night, part of the GYM Gala International boxing event. Houle landed a left uppercut and then got her with a right hook in the fourth round, per the report. Zapata struggled to recover after the bell rang to end the round, and started convulsing before she went unconscious.
She was stretchered off and to a local hospital after remaining unconscious in the ring for several minutes. Zapata was in critical condition for days and placed in a medically induced coma before she died on Thursday afternoon.
"We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, friends and especially her husband, Jovianni Martinez, who was at her bedside until her last moments," the event’s promoter said in a statement, via the CBC. “The entire team at Groupe Yvon Michel team is extremely distressed by this painful announcement. We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to her family, loved ones and especially her husband Jovanni Martinez who was at her bedside until her last moments.”
Zapata reportedly underwent neurological exams before she was allowed to take part in Saturday’s bout, as she was knocked out in a fight in May.
Houle issued a statement on her Facebook page on Sunday, saying that the outcome “really upset” her and that it was never her intention to seriously hurt an opponent. She issued another statement on Thursday night.
“Following the announcement of the terrible news of the death of Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, I am devastated,” her translated post reads. “I extend my deepest condolences to her family and spouse Jovanni Martinez. Thank you for respecting my desire not to comment more.
“The sad news of the departure of a great athlete like Jeanette Zacarias Zapata leaves me sad and devastated. I offer my sincere and deep condolences to her family and husband Jovanni Martinez. May God enlighten your soul and receive it in His Glory.”
