Jacob Matlala


Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala was a South African professional boxer and four-time world champion who competed from 1980 to 2002. Standing about 4 ft 10 in, he is the shortest boxer in history to win a world title. He was a world champion in two weight classes: having held the World Boxing Organization 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. 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].

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
68WinJuan HerreraKO7, 1:432 Mar 2002Carnival City, Brakpan, South AfricaRetained WBU light-flyweight title
67Win52–13–2Mickey CantwellTKO5, 1:5929 Sep 2001Elephant & Castle Centre, London, EnglandRetained WBU light-flyweight title
66Win51–13–2Todd MakelimTKO4, 2:2517 Feb 2001Carnival City, Brakpan, South AfricaWon vacant WBU world champions|WBU light-flyweight title]
65Loss50–13–2Peter CulshawMD1224 May 2000Carnival City, Brakpan, South AfricaFor WBU flyweight title
64Loss50–12–2Masibulele MakepulaUD1219 Feb 2000Carnival City, Brakpan, South AfricaFor vacant WBO light-flyweight title
63Win50–11–2Rafael OrozcoUD1219 Dec 1998Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, U.S.Retained IBA light-flyweight title
62Win49–11–2Ric MagramoPTS104 Jul 1998Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
61Win48–11–2Víctor BurgosTD8 20 Feb 1998Argosy Festival Atrium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.Retained IBA light-flyweight title;
Majority TD
60Win47–11–2Luis DoriaTKO12 15 Nov 1997Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaRetained IBA light-flyweight title
59Win46–11–2Michael CarbajalTKO9, 1:2418 Jul 1997Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won IBA light-flyweight title
58Win45–11–2Mickey CantwellSD128 Feb 1997Arena, London, EnglandRetained WBO light-flyweight title
57Win44–11–2Paul WeirTKO10, 1:5513 Apr 1996Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, EnglandRetained WBO light-flyweight title
56Win43–11–2Paul WeirTD5, 2:3618 Nov 1995Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, ScotlandWon WBO light-flyweight title;
Unanimous TD: Weir unable to continue due to deep cut from accidental head-butt
55Win42–11–2Francisco MendozaPTS826 Aug 1995Village Green, Durban, South Africa
54Draw41–11–2Sammy StewartSD106 May 1995Village Green, Durban, South Africa
53Loss41–11–1Alberto JiménezTKO8, 2:3511 Feb 1995Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South AfricaLost WBO flyweight title
52Win41–10–1Pretty Boy LucasUD1215 Oct 1994Superbowl, Rustenburg, South AfricaRetained WBO flyweight title
51Win40–10–1Francis AmpofoRTD9 11 Jun 1994York Hall, London, EnglandRetained WBO flyweight title
50Win39–10–1Luigi CamputaroRTD7, 3:004 Dec 1993Superbowl, Rustenburg, South AfricaRetained WBO flyweight title
49Win38–10–1Pablo TiznadoUD1024 Jul 1993Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
48Win37–10–1Pat ClintonTKO8, 1:5715 May 1993Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, ScotlandWon WBO flyweight title
47Win36–10–1Toto HleliUD84 Apr 1993Indoor Centre, Springs, South Africa
46Win35–10–1Mzukisi SikaliUD1226 Apr 1992Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-flyweight title
45Win34–10–1Raúl AcostaUD1024 Nov 1991Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa
44Loss33–10–1Dave McAuleyKO10, 2:237 Sep 1991Maysfield Leisure Centre, Belfast, Northern IrelandFor IBF flyweight title
43Win33–9–1Ndoda MayendeTKO8 23 Jun 1991Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-flyweight title
42Win32–9–1Zolile MbityiKO6 10 Feb 1991Nasrec Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-flyweight title
41Win31–9–1Wele MaqoloSD1228 Oct 1990Indoor Sports Centre, Uitenhage, South AfricaWon vacant South African light-flyweight title
40Win30–9–1Ramón SolísUD1025 Mar 1990Don Mateman Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
39Win29–9–1Sonnyboy NghonaTKO2 3 Dec 1989Indoor Sports Centee, Uitenhage, South Africa
38Win28–9–1Daniel WardUD1015 Oct 1989Portuguese Hall, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon vacant Transvaal flyweight title
37Win27–9–1Martín CárdenasUD1014 Aug 1989Feather Market Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
36Win26–9–1Odwa MdleleniKO6 23 Jul 1989Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
35Loss25–9–1Jaji SibaliUD124 Jun 1989Orient Theatre, East London, South AfricaFor South African flyweight title
34Win25–8–1Ndoda MayendePTS814 May 1989Orient Theatre, East London, South Africa
33Win24–8–1Johannes MiyaRTD7 5 Mar 1989Shareworld Sports Stadium, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon vacant Transvaal flyweight title
32Loss23–8–1Vuyani NeneUD1216 Oct 1988Indoor Sports Centre, Uitenhage, South AfricaFor South African light-flyweight title
31Win23–7–1Daniel WardPTS89 Jul 1988Sports Stadium, Secunda, South Africa
30Win22–7–1Vumile GomoDQ7 30 Apr 1988Great Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
29Win21–7–1Jacob MazubikoTKO9 7 Feb 1988Indoor Centre, Springs, South AfricaWon vacant Transvaal light-flyweight title
28Loss20–7–1Vuyani NenePTS121 Nov 1987Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaFor South African light-flyweught title
27Win20–6–1Kirk MorrisPTS82 Aug 1987Don Mateman Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
26Loss19–6–1Vuyani NeneRTD11 15 Mar 1987Volkswagen Stadium, Uitenhage, South AfricaFor South African light-flyweight title
25Win19–5–1Pillay DuikerPTS109 Nov 1986Modderfontein Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon vacant Transvaal light-flyweight title
24Loss18–5–1Vuyani NenePTS815 Mar 1986Feathermarket Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
23Loss18–4–1Mveleli LuziphoUD1230 Nov 1985Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South AfricaFor South African light-flyweight title
22Win18–3–1Pillay DuikerPTS1021 Sep 1985Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South AfricaWon Transvaal light-flyweight title
21Win17–3–1Nqaba GovuzaTKO3 18 May 1985Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South Africa
20Win16–3–1Gilbert MakenetePTS61 Nov 1984Milner Park Showgrounds, Johannesburg, South Africa
19Win15–3–1Thamsanqa SogcwePTS829 Sep 1984Centenary Hall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
18Win14–3–1Jacob MazibukoPTS629 Jun 1984Vaal Showgrounds Hall, Vereeniging, South Africa
17Win13–3–1Juan Alberto IvaloUD1025 May 1984Kwa Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa
16Win12–3–1Solomon ManotsiTKO4 30 Mar 1984Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
15Win11–3–1Michael MogopudiRTD2 2 Mar 1984Kwa Thema Civic Centre, Springs, South Africa
14Loss10–3–1Mveleli LuziphoUD1214 Oct 1983Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South AfricaLost South African light-flyweight title
13Win10–2–1José Antonio BadillaTKO9 19 Aug 1983Uncle Toms Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
12Win9–2–1Martin NkokotoKO3 13 May 1983Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained South African light-flyweight title
11Win8–2–1Mveleli LuziphoTKO11 26 Feb 1983Mdantsane Stadium, East London, South AfricaWon South African light-flyweight title
10Win7–2–1Kirk MorrisTKO7 28 Jan 1983Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South AfricaRetained Transvaal light-flyweight title
9Win6–2–1Dexter DlaminiTKO3 4 Sep 1982Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
8Win5–2–1Simon MoemaTKO5 9 Jul 1982Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South AfricaWon inaugural Transvaal light-flyweight title
7Win4–2–1Michael MogopudiTKO5 14 May 1982Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
6Draw3–2–1Michael MogopudiPTS616 Apr 1982Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
5Win3–2Albert MolotoPTS45 Mar 1982Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
4Win2–2Hansie KrugerTKO3 30 Oct 1981Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
3Loss1–2Michael MogopudiPTS427 Jun 1981Mphatlalatsane Amphitheatre, Sebokeng, South Africa
2Loss1–1Kirk MorrisPTS45 Jun 1981Diepkloof Community Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
1Win1–0Fraser PlaatjiesPTS42 Feb 1980Centenary 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, he ended his career with 4 world championships. He presented his WBU belt to Nelson Mandela after his fight to Juan Herrera.