While South Africans mourn the death of world icon Nelson Mandela, Grahamstown boxers also sent their condolences to the family of Jacob 'Baby Jake' Matlala who passed away on Saturday 7 December from complications related to pneumonia.
While South Africans mourn the death of world icon Nelson Mandela, Grahamstown boxers also sent their condolences to the family of Jacob 'Baby Jake' Matlala who passed away on Saturday 7 December from complications related to pneumonia.
Mfuzo Dyira, manager of Grahamstown boxing club, Mfuzo Boxing Camp, said Matlala was one of the best boxers in South Africa.
"Matlala used boxing and discipline to climb the ladder," Dyira said.
He said he used to watch Matlala on television, where he was beaten by Vuyani 'Wonderboy' Nene many times. But Matlala had surprised them, and went on to win the South African and world title.
After retaining his SA title against Ndoda Mayende, Matlala had his first crack at a world title in September 1991 when he took on Dave McCauley for the IBF flyweight title in Belfast. He failed in his attempt, suffering a 10th-round knockout at the hands of the Irishman.
Dyira said Matlala was a boxer who never gave up – eventually winning and retaining the world title. He said Matlala had delivered the best performance of his career in Las Vegas on 18 July 1997, before a large American television audience.
He battered Carbajal for nine rounds before the referee stopped the fight, with the Mexican a clearly beaten man.
That victory raised Matlala's profile considerably and, of course, earned him another world title.
Mfuzo was delighted to once meet Matlala at a Boxing Convention in Johannesburg.
Bulelani Ndwayana, the Masibambane Boxing Club manager, also feels the loss.
He said they had lost a hero.
"Matlala was a man among men," Ndwayana said. Ndwayana was saddened that the great boxer and Madiba had passed away within days of each other.
He recalls how Nelson Mandela and top Hollywood actor Will Smith watched Matlala on March 3, 2002.
It was the fight that brought the curtain down on Matlala's 22-year professional boxing career, with a seventh-round stoppage win over Juan Herrera to retain his WBU junior flyweight title.
Ndwayana said 'Baby Jake' would be remembered as an action fighter who overcame his height and reach disadvantage by crowding his opponents and throwing a relentless barrage of punches.
He would also be remembered for the excellent condition in which he kept himself in for his fights, right up to the age of 40.
Matlala's funeral takes place at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg today, Friday 13 December.
