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South Africa has lost a legend of the ring
South African boxer Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala will not only be remembered as the shortest boxing world champion, but for his achievements in and out of the ring.
The 1.47m tall light-flyweight champion was a token of reconciliation in post-Apartheid South Africa and boasts a 78 per cent winning rate in the ring.
Baby Jake won titles under three different boxing bodies, namely World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Union (WBU) and International Boxing Association (IBA). His last appearance in the ring was in 2002, where he presented his WBU title to Nelson Mandela who was at ringside, closing the curtain to a glittering career.
Former president Mandela, who was a boxing follower, died on Thursday, December 5, aged 95.
Matlala, who has been battling with a long illness, died in hospital on December 7.
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