Jacob Matlala

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 10 in (147 cm), he is the shortest boxer in history 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.

Jacob Matlala
Born	Jacob Matlala (1962-08-01)1 August 1962 Meadowlands, Gauteng, South Africa
Died	7 December 2013(2013-12-07) (aged 51) Parktown, Gauteng, South Africa
Other names	Baby Jake
Statistics
Weights	Flyweight Light flyweight
Height	4 ft 10 in (147 cm)[1]
Reach	59 in (150 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	68
Wins	53
Wins by KO	26
Losses	13
Draws	2
No contests	0

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, Springs, 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 Sports Centre, 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

• List of flyweight boxing champions
• List of light-flyweight boxing champions