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.
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.
