Jacob Matlala

Jacob Matlala
Born
Jacob Matlala

(1962-08-01)1 August 1962
Meadowlands, Gauteng, South Africa
Died7 December 2013(2013-12-07) (aged 51)
Parktown, Gauteng, South Africa
Other namesBaby Jake
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height4 ft 10 in (147 cm)[1]
Reach59 in (150 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights68
Wins53
Wins by KO26
Losses13
Draws2
No contests0

Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala (1 August 1962 – 7 December 2013) was a South African professional boxer and four-time world champion who competed from 1980 to 2002. Standing about 4 ft 10½ in (148 cm), he is the shortest boxer to win a world title.[2] He was a world champion in two weight classes: having held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight title from 1993 to 1995 and the WBO light-flyweight from 1995 to 1997. He scored high-profile wins against international opponents during the 1990s. He was a hugely popular national figure in South Africa — admired for his fighting spirit and charitable work — and was publicly counted among Nelson Mandela’s favourite sportspeople.[3] In 2004, Matlala was voted #72 in the "100 Greatest South Africans" poll organized by SABC.

Death

Jacob Matlala died on 7 December 2013, at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.[4][5]

Professional boxing record

68 fights 53 wins 13 losses
By knockout 26 3
By decision 26 10
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
68 Win 53–13–2 Juan Herrera KO 7 (12), 1:43 2 Mar 2002 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa Retained WBU light-flyweight title
67 Win 52–13–2 Mickey Cantwell TKO 5 (12), 1:59 29 Sep 2001 Elephant & Castle Centre, London, England Retained WBU light-flyweight title
66 Win 51–13–2 Todd Makelim TKO 4 (12), 2:25 17 Feb 2001 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa Won vacant WBU light-flyweight title
65 Loss 50–13–2 Peter Culshaw MD 12 24 May 2000 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa For WBU flyweight title
64 Loss 50–12–2 Masibulele Makepula UD 12 19 Feb 2000 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa For vacant WBO light-flyweight title
63 Win 50–11–2 Rafael Orozco UD 12 19 Dec 1998 Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, U.S. Retained IBA light-flyweight title
62 Win 49–11–2 Ric Magramo PTS 10 4 Jul 1998 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
61 Win 48–11–2 Víctor Burgos TD 8 (12) 20 Feb 1998 Argosy Festival Atrium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. Retained IBA light-flyweight title;
Majority TD
60 Win 47–11–2 Luis Doria TKO 12 (12) 15 Nov 1997 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Retained IBA light-flyweight title
59 Win 46–11–2 Michael Carbajal TKO 9 (12), 1:24 18 Jul 1997 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won IBA light-flyweight title
58 Win 45–11–2 Mickey Cantwell SD 12 8 Feb 1997 Arena, London, England Retained WBO light-flyweight title
57 Win 44–11–2 Paul Weir TKO 10 (12), 1:55 13 Apr 1996 Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, England Retained WBO light-flyweight title
56 Win 43–11–2 Paul Weir TD 5 (12), 2:36 18 Nov 1995 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland Won WBO light-flyweight title;
Unanimous TD: Weir unable to continue due to deep cut from accidental head-butt
55 Win 42–11–2 Francisco Mendoza PTS 8 26 Aug 1995 Village Green, Durban, South Africa
54 Draw 41–11–2 Sammy Stewart SD 10 6 May 1995 Village Green, Durban, South Africa
53 Loss 41–11–1 Alberto Jiménez TKO 8 (12), 2:35 11 Feb 1995 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa Lost WBO flyweight title
52 Win 41–10–1 Pretty Boy Lucas UD 12 15 Oct 1994 Superbowl, Rustenburg, South Africa Retained WBO flyweight title
51 Win 40–10–1 Francis Ampofo RTD 9 (12) 11 Jun 1994 York Hall, London, England Retained WBO flyweight title
50 Win 39–10–1 Luigi Camputaro RTD 7 (12), 3:00 4 Dec 1993 Superbowl, Rustenburg, South Africa Retained WBO flyweight title
49 Win 38–10–1 Pablo Tiznado UD 10 24 Jul 1993 Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
48 Win 37–10–1 Pat Clinton TKO 8 (12), 1:57 15 May 1993 Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, Scotland Won WBO flyweight title
47 Win 36–10–1 Toto Hleli UD 8 4 Apr 1993 Indoor Centre, Spings, South Africa
46 Win 35–10–1 Mzukisi Sikali UD 12 26 Apr 1992 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African light-flyweight title
45 Win 34–10–1 Raúl Acosta UD 10 24 Nov 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
44 Loss 33–10–1 Dave McAuley KO 10 (12), 2:23 7 Sep 1991 Maysfield Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland For IBF flyweight title
43 Win 33–9–1 Ndoda Mayende TKO 8 (12) 23 Jun 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African light-flyweight title
42 Win 32–9–1 Zolile Mbityi KO 6 (12) 10 Feb 1991 Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African light-flyweight title
41 Win 31–9–1 Wele Maqolo SD 12 28 Oct 1990 Indoor Spprts Centee, Uitenhage, South Africa Won vacant South African light-flyweight title
40 Win 30–9–1 Ramón Solís UD 10 25 Mar 1990 Don Mateman Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
39 Win 29–9–1 Sonnyboy Nghona TKO 2 (10) 3 Dec 1989 Indoor Sports Centee, Uitenhage, South Africa
38 Win 28–9–1 Daniel Ward UD 10 15 Oct 1989 Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa Won vacant Transvaal flyweight title
37 Win 27–9–1 Martín Cárdenas UD 10 14 Aug 1989 Feather Market Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
36 Win 26–9–1 Odwa Mdleleni KO 6 (10) 23 Jul 1989 Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
35 Loss 25–9–1 Jaji Sibali UD 12 4 Jun 1989 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa For South African flyweight title
34 Win 25–8–1 Ndoda Mayende PTS 8 14 May 1989 Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
33 Win 24–8–1 Johannes Miya RTD 7 (10) 5 Mar 1989 Shareworld Sports Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Won vacant Transvaal flyweight title
32 Loss 23–8–1 Vuyani Nene UD 12 16 Oct 1988 Indoor Sports Centre, Uitenhage, South Africa For South African light-flyweight title
31 Win 23–7–1 Daniel Ward PTS 8 9 Jul 1988 Sports Stadium, Secunda, South Africa
30 Win 22–7–1 Vumile Gomo DQ 7 (10) 30 Apr 1988 Great Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
29 Win 21–7–1 Jacob Mazubiko TKO 9 (10) 7 Feb 1988 Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa Won vacant Transvaal light-flyweight title
28 Loss 20–7–1 Vuyani Nene PTS 12 1 Nov 1987 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa For South African light-flyweught title
27 Win 20–6–1 Kirk Morris PTS 8 2 Aug 1987 Don Mateman Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
26 Loss 19–6–1 Vuyani Nene RTD 11 (12) 15 Mar 1987 Volkswagen Stadium, Uitenhage, South Africa For South African light-flyweight title
25 Win 19–5–1 Pillay Duiker PTS 10 9 Nov 1986 Modderfontein Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa Won vacant Transvaal light-flyweight title
24 Loss 18–5–1 Vuyani Nene PTS 8 15 Mar 1986 Feathermarket Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
23 Loss 18–4–1 Mveleli Luzipho UD 12 30 Nov 1985 Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South Africa For South African light-flyweight title
22 Win 18–3–1 Pillay Duiker PTS 10 21 Sep 1985 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Won Transvaal light-flyweight title
21 Win 17–3–1 Nqaba Govuza TKO 3 (8) 18 May 1985 Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South Africa
20 Win 16–3–1 Gilbert Makenete PTS 6 1 Nov 1984 Milner Park Showgrounds, Johannesburg, South Africa
19 Win 15–3–1 Thamsanqa Sogcwe PTS 8 29 Sep 1984 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
18 Win 14–3–1 Jacob Mazibuko PTS 6 29 Jun 1984 Vaal Showgrounds Hall, Vereeniging, South Africa
17 Win 13–3–1 Juan Alberto Ivalo UD 10 25 May 1984 Kwa Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa
16 Win 12–3–1 Solomon Manotsi TKO 4 (8) 30 Mar 1984 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
15 Win 11–3–1 Michael Mogopudi RTD 2 (8) 2 Mar 1984 Kwa Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa
14 Loss 10–3–1 Mveleli Luzipho UD 12 14 Oct 1983 Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa Lost South African light-flyweight title
13 Win 10–2–1 José Antonio Badilla TKO 9 (10) 19 Aug 1983 Uncle Toms Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
12 Win 9–2–1 Martin Nkokoto KO 3 (12) 13 May 1983 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained South African light-flyweight title
11 Win 8–2–1 Mveleli Luzipho TKO 11 (12) 26 Feb 1983 Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South Africa Won South African light-flyweight title
10 Win 7–2–1 Kirk Morris TKO 7 (10) 28 Jan 1983 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa Retained Transvaal light-flyweight title
9 Win 6–2–1 Dexter Dlamini TKO 3 (6) 4 Sep 1982 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
8 Win 5–2–1 Simon Moema TKO 5 (10) 9 Jul 1982 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa Won inaugural Transvaal light-flyweight title
7 Win 4–2–1 Michael Mogopudi TKO 5 (6) 14 May 1982 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
6 Draw 3–2–1 Michael Mogopudi PTS 6 16 Apr 1982 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
5 Win 3–2 Albert Moloto PTS 4 5 Mar 1982 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
4 Win 2–2 Hansie Kruger TKO 3 (6) 30 Oct 1981 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Loss 1–2 Michael Mogopudi PTS 4 27 Jun 1981 Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
2 Loss 1–1 Kirk Morris PTS 4 5 Jun 1981 Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
1 Win 1–0 Fraser Plaatjies PTS 4 2 Feb 1980 Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Trivia

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.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Baby' Jake Matlala: World champion in two weight divisions who was". The Independent. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ "BoxRec: Jacob Matlala". boxrec.com. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Tribute to Baby Jake Matlala – Nelson Mandela Foundation". www.nelsonmandela.org. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  4. ^ (7 December 2013). Baby Jake Matlala dies. sport24.co. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  5. ^ Motumi, Mpiletso (13 December 2013). Boxing giant Baby Jake laid to rest. iol.co. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  6. ^ Morgan, Brad 'Baby Jake': small boxer, big heart Archived 26 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. southafrica.info. Retrieved 7 December 2013.

Boxing record for Jacob Matlala from BoxRec (registration required)

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