A Mexican boxer hospitalized Saturday after being injured in a Montreal ring has died.
Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), the organizer of the boxing event, announced on Thursday that Jeanette Zacarias Zapata died in hospital from injuries sustained in her bout with Quebecer Marie-Pier Houle, while offering condolences to the 18-year-old woman's family.
"It is with great sadness and torment that we learned, from a representative of her family, that Jeanette Zacarias Zapata passed away this afternoon at 3:45 p.m. The entire team at Groupe Yvon Michel is extremely distressed by this painful announcement," GYM said in a statement published on social media.
The incident occurred at the end of the fourth round in a fight Saturday presented as part of a gala organized by GYM at Montreal’s IGA stadium.
Zapata suffered a series of power punches in the corner of the ring and, after a solid uppercut, the Mexican seemed stunned. A final right hook caused Zapata’s mouthguard to fly out and left her unable to return to her corner after the bell rang.
Zapata, who appeared to convulse while still standing, was joined by her partner and trainer Jovanni Martinez, who quickly laid her down in the ring. The on-site medical team rushed to her side and she was immobilized on a stretcher before being rushed to hospital by ambulance.
Yvon Michel, president of Groupe Yvon Michel, had said in a press briefing Sunday that Zapata was placed in a medically induced coma to sedate her and relax her body and brain, adding that the following two to five days would be "critical."
Houle, who was credited with a technical knockout victory, had a brief celebration of her victory before becoming a helpless witness to the grim post-fight scene.
Reached by The Canadian Press on Sunday, Houle, extremely shaken, preferred not to comment.
— with files from Frederic Daigle
This report by The Canadian press was first published September 2, 2021.
The Canadian Press
