Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, an 18-year-old Mexican boxer, was knocked unconscious during a fight in August 2021 and died a few days later. (jeanetteg_zz/Instagram)
An 18-year-old fighter who died following a boxing event in Quebec may have suffered from Second Impact syndrome, according to a coroner’s report that includes several recommendations for the province’s gaming authority and event promoters.
Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, a Mexican fighter, was knocked unconscious during a match on Aug. 28, 2021 against Quebec boxer Marie-Pier Houle and was taken away on a stretcher.
The event was held at Montreal’s IGA Stadium and organized by Groupe Yvon Michel (GYM), an established promoter in the province.
Zapata died in hospital on Sept. 2 — five days after the fight.
In a report made public on Tuesday, Quebec coroner Jacques Ramsay said the 18-year-old died of brain trauma caused by repeated blows to the head.
18-year-old boxer dies after match in Montreal, Quebec coroner to investigate
The coroner describes the death as violent but accidental.
A lot to learn from boxer’s death, coroner says
Second Impact syndrome (SIS), which the coroner brought up as a possible contributor to the boxer’s death, refers to situations where people experience a second head injury before fully recovering from the first.
In his report, the coroner points out that it is a rare occurrence that has not been studied extensively.
Heading into her final fight, Zapata was coming off a knockout loss in Mexico.
During that fight, Zapata suffered several blows to the head, hung on to the ropes and and got on her knee before the referee stepped in. She ultimately fell to the floor.
After the fight, her father confirmed that her daughter had lost consciousness and attributed that to a lack of oxygen.
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