Jeanette Zacarias Zapata tragically lost her young life on Thursday after suffering several blows to the head during her match against Canada’s Marie-Pier Houle over the weekend. She was just 18-years-old.
GYM Gala International Boxing event promoter Groupe Yvon Michel issued a statement confirming the news of Zapata’s passing, several days after she went unconscious in the ring during her fight against Houle.
“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 p.m.,” the statement read. “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.”
According to Yvon Michel, Zapata’s husband declined to comment.
“Jovanni is devastated and extremely upset.”
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Video from the fight showed Zapata standing in the corner after the bout was called, and then her body could be seen convulsing and she would soon pass out.
Houle issued her own statement on Facebook, saying she was “devasted” to hear about Zapata’s passing.
“Following the announcement of the terrible news of the death of Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, I am devastated,” she wrote, via Yahoo Sports. “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.”
