Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala (1 August 1962 – 7 December 2013) was a South African boxer and junior flyweight champion from Meadowlands, Johannesburg. In 2004, Matlala was voted #72 in the "100 Greatest South Africans" poll organized by SABC.
Jacob Matlala | |
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Statistics | |
Real name | Jacob Matlala |
Nickname(s) | Baby Jake |
Weight(s) |
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Height | 4 ft 10 in (147 cm)[1] |
Reach | 59 in (150 cm) |
Nationality | ![]() |
Born | (1962-08-01)1 August 1962 Meadowlands, Gauteng, South Africa |
Died | 7 December 2013(2013-12-07) (aged 51) Parktown, Gauteng, South Africa |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 68 |
Wins | 53 |
Wins by KO | 26 |
Losses | 13 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 0 |
Jacob Matlala died on 7 December 2013, at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.[2]
The former World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Union (WBU) and International Boxing Association flyweight world champion had been admitted to hospital on numerous occasions over the past few years with complications related to pneumonia. Johannesburg – Dressed in royal blue and white uniforms and black berets, the New Covenant Church brass band escorted the coffin of boxing legend Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala into the Rhema Church auditorium.[3]
At a height of 1.47 meters, or 4-foot-10, Matlala was the shortest boxing world champion ever. With a total of 68 fights (53 wins and 2 draws), he ended his career with 4 world championships. He presented his WBU belt to Nelson Mandela after his fight to Juan Herrera.[4]
Boxing record for Jacob Matlala from BoxRec (registration required)
Sporting positions | ||||
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World boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by | WBO flyweight champion 15 May 1993 – 11 February 1995 |
Succeeded by | ||
Preceded by | WBO light-flyweight champion 18 November 1995 - 1997 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jesús Chong | ||
Records | ||||
Preceded by | Shortest world champion 4ft 10in 15 May 1993 – present |
Incumbent |
General | |
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National libraries | |
Other |