Age: 30

Twitter: @JZapotoczna

Nationality: Polish

From: Wroclaw, Poland

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 8-1

Next fight: Zapotoczna challenges Chloe Watson for the European flyweight at York Hall on September 27.


When and why you started boxing:

I started boxing in 2014. I always had a passion for combat sports because my dad was a prison officer, and he showed me and my siblings’ self-defence techniques. So, I was always very passionate about it and, when I was 20, I went for my first boxing session and, from then, I always knew that I wanted to fight.


Favourite all-time fighter:

Mike Tyson. He came from a very bad environment and became the world heavyweight champion so quickly. Tyson was my first-ever idol.


Best fight you’ve seen:

Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. I just love all three of their fights.


Personal career highlight:

My biggest achievement so far in my career is beating Maisey Rose Courtney to win the WBA International flyweight title.


Toughest opponent:

Inna Statkevych. She was tough and relentless. Inna was moving forward all the time, and she is very strong as well. I did six rounds with her, and it felt like the 10 rounds I did with Shannon Ryan.


Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

The best is my boxing skills, but the worst is my eating. My appetite is my biggest weakness. I have a sweet tooth, especially pastries and cakes. But I love pizza, burgers, everything. I just love food.


Training tip:

Don’t cheat on yourself. There are no shortcuts in boxing.


Favourite meal/restaurant:

Polish dumplings. There are lots of different ways to have them, but I love them all.


Best friends in boxing:

Ebanie Bridges. Ebanie is a very kind person, and she really helps me out. We have a nice flow between us and we are really close.

Ebanie Bridges

Matthew Pover/Matchroom Boxing


Which other athlete would you like to be:

Michael Jordan. He is a really good role model and was just relentless in his sport, and he was going to achieve his goals no matter what.


Last film/TV show you saw:

I have just watched a TV series called Presumed Innocent starring Jake Gyllenhaal on Apple TV. The last film I saw was Inside Out 2.


Who would play you in a film of your life:

Gal Gadot, who played Wonder Woman.


Have you ever been starstruck:

No.


Last time you cried:

After my fight with Maisey Rose Courtney. The last few years have been so tough for me. I had a lot of doubts last year, and I thought maybe I might quit boxing. I’d just had enough. I’ve had a very hard time recently, so that fight made me all emotional. It made me remember everything I have been through.


Best advice received:

Trust your intuition.


Worst rumour about yourself:

I haven’t heard any rumours about myself.


Something not many people know about you:

Before boxing, I used to sing, and I finished music school. The first 18 years of my life were around music. I was always dreaming about being a singer. But my life ended up slightly different.