An 18-year-old Mexican boxer, Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, died on Thursday, September 2, five days after she was knocked out during a match with Marie-Pier Houle at the GVM Gala International in Montreal.
Zapata suffered a series of power punches in the corner of the ring and a final right hook caused Zapata's mouth guard to fly out and left her unable to return to her corner after the bell rang.
She appeared to convulse while still standing, and was joined by her partner and trainer Jovanni Martinez, who quickly laid her down in the ring. The onsite medical team then rushed to her aid before moving her to the hospital.
Yvon Michel, the organizer of the boxing event, condoled Zapata’s family.
"It is with great sadness and torment that we learned, from a representative of her family, that Jeanette Zacarias passed away this afternoon at 3:45 pm,” read Michel’s statement.
"We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, friends and especially her husband Jovanni Martinez who was at her bedside until her last moments."
Yvone Michel Zapata also stated in a briefing 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."
Zapata’s family, loved ones and her husband Jovanni Martinez were beside her until her final moments.