Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala not in a good way

[Old bones Ian]

Seen a few newspaper reports that Jake Matlala is in hospital with pneumonia, and his local church are trying to raise medical funds for him, as all his money is now gone.
seems that Baby Jake is another ex champ that has fallen on hard times, he always seemed to be an intelligent guy , and holds a degree. but once agian we have the same old story.

Such a shame for a value for money boxer.

[palooka]

He was a very tough box fighter with a disarming character; he seemed to be very likeable in the television interviews. It is a shame he is in a state; hope his condition improves.

[GlobalBox]

Watched him live in a couple of his fights over here, Cantwell springs to mind, Its very sad as always, best wishes "Baby" for a full recovery.

[stujones]

Thats very sad news, surprised me also. Anyone know why the money has run try. Called it quits at the perfect time really. He was old, but still good at world level and I'm sure he ended with a win against Cantwell.

[Coco]

I doubt he earned more than a wage, no multi million pound purses at those weights

[bennie]

I was always a fan of Jake Matlala. He upped he pace round after round in his fights until opponents 'broke' and he scored a fantastic win in Las Vegas over Michael Carbajal. Jake had a weakness for women, which may explain where his money went. Get well soon, "Baby".

[orbtastic]

I remember watching him and Luigi Camputaro and my mum came in and asked me if they were midgets. Had to explain that they were just very small...

Which fight was it where his head/eye swelled up horribly and he ended up looking like ET?

Don't he and McAuley still hold the world record for biggest height disparity in a world title fight outside the heavyweights?

[jonny]

Great fighter, get well soon jake

[Old bones Ian]

I remember watching the McAuley fight, and Dave was in control most of the way, the height difference was big, and Matlala couldn't get inside. The finish was a right hand and Jake was out.

I thought at the time thats the last i'll see of the South African, it seemed to be an easy title defense against a lower grade boxer. But he proved alot of people wrong with his fighting spirit to get back and hold titles, and always impressed on these shores.

[orbtastic]

I remember watching the McAuley fight, and Dave was in control most of the way, the height difference was big, and Matlala couldn't get inside. The finish was a right hand and Jake was out.

I thought at the time thats the last i'll see of the South African, it seemed to be an easy title defense against a lower grade boxer. But he proved alot of people wrong with his fighting spirit to get back and hold titles, and always impressed on these shores.

You know that fight's probably been seen by more people in the UK than any other fight in history?

[bennie]

Matlala was just a light-flyweight in against the big McAuley, but you have to say it was a helluva right hand from Dave to finish the South African, who showed no inclination to get up and would prove himself to be tremendously durable.

[Counter-puncher]

I remember watching the McAuley fight, and Dave was in control most of the way, the height difference was big, and Matlala couldn't get inside. The finish was a right hand and Jake was out.

I thought at the time thats the last i'll see of the South African, it seemed to be an easy title defense against a lower grade boxer. But he proved alot of people wrong with his fighting spirit to get back and hold titles, and always impressed on these shores.

You know that fight's probably been seen by more people in the UK than any other fight in history?

really, how?

[orbtastic]

It was/is part of the opening sequence on Question of Sport.

[Roco]

Always enjoyed watching him. He was like a little tank.

[Counter-puncher]

It was/is part of the opening sequence on Question of Sport.

[Cotto16]

a fighter from liverpool peter culshaw beat jake matlala, culshaw was a world class flyweight back in the 90's who now just gets forgot about