Jasmina Zapotoczna: “I would love to challenge myself against Gabriela Fundora.”

Jasmina Zapotoczna: “I would love to challenge myself against Gabriela Fundora.”

Jasmina Zapotoczna got win number ten last month. A little trip to France to defend her European flyweight title against Justine Lallemand was full of chaos and more. An away trip of high drama in the immediate aftermath when the opposing corner tried to get the official verdict reversed, but Zapotoczna left Salle Bayard, Charleville-Mézières, still a European champion. And deservedly so.

Lallemand lost her third attempt at European glory by a surprising majority decision. It was a fight that Zapotoczna believed that she won beyond any reasonable doubt.

“From what I felt in the ring, and what my coach told me, it was obvious there was no doubt about my win,” Zapotoczna told me over Zoom. “My coach gave me seven rounds, and three rounds to her. I personally feel it was a comfortable win for me. It was more comfortable than my win against Chloe Watson. It was a close fight with Chloe, but this was obvious. We had a perfect game plan. We had tactics and a strategy, and I just executed it. Everything we worked on during camp worked perfectly. There was no doubt about my win. I was just the better fighter.”

Zapotoczna thought she sealed her victory in the closing moments of the first defence of her European flyweight bauble. “In the 9th round, I almost stopped her. It was towards the end of the round, I landed two big right hands, so I don’t know how they thought she had won. I was slipping a lot of her shots. Honestly, there was no doubt. I won comfortably. We thought the most they could give her was four rounds, but one judge scored it a draw, which was ridiculous in my opinion.”

The 31-year-old has had a mixed year. Being part of an iconic all-female card at the Royal Albert Hall in March and beating Chloe Watson to win the European flyweight title was an obvious high. But months of frustration followed her breakthrough victory. The recent fight in France was, in many ways, a long time coming.

“I really wanted to be more active this year,” Zapotoczna admitted. “But I only had two fights. A big fight in March, winning the European title, and then a defence of my title. It’s still two good fights, so let’s see what will happen next year. I am just hoping I will be more active next year. Hopefully, a world title shot will come soon.”

Zapotoczna has one name in mind on her wish list for 2026. “I would love to challenge myself against Gabriela Fundora. Obviously, she is a top fighter and undisputed. It would be a massive challenge for me, but I would love to check my skills against hers.”    

Jasmina Zapotoczna, if boxing works the way it should, can look forward to a productive and rewarding new year. A possible rematch with Maiseyrose Courtney could be looming in the early part of 2026 in defence of her European title. But Zapotoczna has eyes on the undisputed flyweight championship of the world. A fighter, unlike some who have or will soon fight for world honours, will fully deserve that opportunity when it eventually materialises for her. A good fighter who deserves better from her sport.

Photo Credit: Boxxer