Parliament extends condolences on the passing of our flyweight boxing world champion, Baby Jake Matlala – just two days after Madiba, a Baby Jake fan and one-time boxer himself, left us.
Mr Matlala retired from boxing aged 42, after a professional boxing career of 22 years. His retirement came after winning his last title fight – against an opponent 11 years younger than him - watched ringside by Madiba. After the fight, he presented his World Boxing Union belt to Madiba.
Born in Meadowlands, Soweto, Mr Matlala began his illustrious boxing career in Port Elizabeth in 1980 and became the only South African boxer to win four world titles.
The shortest-ever world champion, who overcame his height and reach disadvantage, captured the hearts of the nation and earned the respect of opponents and spectators because of his determination, always, to give his best. After his retirement from professional boxing, he got involved in several campaigns, among them helping to raise funds for HIV and AIDS programmes and the South African Police Service’s campaign to get its members fit.
Our thoughts are with Mr Matlala’s family and friends as they come to terms with his passing.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
