Boxer who died after Montreal bout may have suffered from Second Impact syndrome, coroner says

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.

The coroner describes the death as violent but accidental.

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 during a fight 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 to stop the fight. 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.

In Mexico, Zapata was prohibited from taking part in boxing-related activity for two months following her brutal loss, which is the norm in several boxing jurisdictions including Quebec, the coroner said.

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