Coroner issues new recommendations after investigation into boxer’s death finds falsified medical records
A tragic incident in the world of boxing has prompted a revisiting of the events leading up to the death of Mexican boxer Jeanette Guadalupe Zacarias Zapata. Originally, a Quebec coroner issued a report stating that Zapata was fit to fight on the night of August 28, 2021, despite suffering a knockout in a previous bout. However, a recent investigation by Radio-Canada uncovered that her medical records were falsified or inaccurate, leading to a revised report by the coroner.
Jacques Ramsay, the coroner in question, admitted to being unaware of the falsified medical records when he initially published his report. In light of the new information brought to light by the investigation, Ramsay has issued 10 new recommendations in his revised report. These recommendations include measures such as the Quebec liquor and gaming authority checking for previous knockouts before allowing fighters to compete, as well as the completion of pre-fight radiology and clinical exams.
The Radio-Canada investigation revealed that Zapata should never have been cleared to fight on the night she sustained fatal injuries. Just months prior, she had suffered a concussion in a knockout loss in Mexico, raising serious concerns about her fitness to compete. Despite the RACJ claiming that there were no issues with her radiology report prior to the fight, the investigation uncovered discrepancies and ultimately determined that the report had been forged.
The tragic death of Jeanette Zacarias Zapata has sparked a much-needed reevaluation of safety measures within the sport of boxing. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough medical assessments and the integrity of medical records in ensuring the well-being of fighters. Moving forward, the recommendations put forth by the coroner aim to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in combat sports.
