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'My heart aches': Boxing rocked by teen's death after horror injury

Jeanette Zapatta, pictured here before she was rushed to hospital.
Jeanette Zapatta (pictured left) appeared to suffer a seizure in the ring, before she was rushed to hospital and tragically died five days later. (Images: Twitter)

The boxing world has been left shocked after 18-year-old Jeanette Zacarias Zapata died after she was rushed to the ICU for injuries sustained in her recent fight.

Viewers were left stunned in Montreal last week after Marie-Pier Houle delivered a number of powerful punches to Zapata in the corner of the ring and, after a solid uppercut, left the Mexican stunned.

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A final right hook caused Zapata’s mouthguard to fly out and left her unable to return to her corner after the bell rang.

But in horror scenes after the bout, Zapata collapsed as she appeared to suffer a seizure.

The medical team, her trainer and team rushed to help Zapata before she was stretchered out and rushed to hospital.

Zapata was placed in an induced coma, but after five days, the 18-year-old tragically died.

“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 3:45pm," a statement read.

"The entire team at Groupe Yvon Michel is extremely distressed by this painful announcement.

“We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, friends and especially her husband, Jovianni Martinez, who was at her bedside until her last moments.

“Jovianni is devastated and extremely upset.

“Under the circumstances, he does not wish to comment, therefore we ask that you respect his decision and allow the family to have their privacy."

Boxing world rocked after Zapata death

Many fans took to social media to send well wishes to the family of Zapata.

Some also questioned whether new safety rules needed to be introduced for young boxers.

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