BoxRec

Very sad news that Jacob Matlala has died, he was one tough little guy and fought on these shores many times, becoming a favourite over here as our top little men tried to beat him.
I remember the first time watching him against Dave McAuley, which could be argued was Dave's best win looking back.
Jacob was back a few months later to upset Pat Clinton in Scotland for the WBO Fly title, Matlala then went on to beat Francis Ampofo, Paul Weir, Mickey Cantwell over here as well.

His best win would probably be beating Michael Carbajal .

RIP champ

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=668&cat=boxer

Old bones Ian wrote:Very sad news that Jacob Matlala has died, he was one tough little guy and fought on these shores many times, becoming a favourite over here as our top little men tried to beat him.
I remember the first time watching him against Dave McAuley, which could be argued was Dave's best win looking back.
Jacob was back a few months later to upset Pat Clinton in Scotland for the WBO Fly title, Matlala then went on to beat Francis Ampofo, Paul Weir, Mickey Cantwell over here as well.

His best win would probably be beating Michael Carbajal .

RIP champ

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=668&cat=boxer

That's so strange. I was watching his fights this week for the first time in years.

Old bones Ian wrote:Very sad news that Jacob Matlala has died, he was one tough little guy and fought on these shores many times, becoming a favourite over here as our top little men tried to beat him.
I remember the first time watching him against Dave McAuley, which could be argued was Dave's best win looking back.
Jacob was back a few months later to upset Pat Clinton in Scotland for the WBO Fly title, Matlala then went on to beat Francis Ampofo, Paul Weir, Mickey Cantwell over here as well.

His best win would probably be beating Michael Carbajal .

RIP champ

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=668&cat=boxer

What did he die of Ian, do you know? RIP.

Old bones Ian wrote:Very sad news that Jacob Matlala has died, he was one tough little guy and fought on these shores many times, becoming a favourite over here as our top little men tried to beat him.
I remember the first time watching him against Dave McAuley, which could be argued was Dave's best win looking back.
Jacob was back a few months later to upset Pat Clinton in Scotland for the WBO Fly title, Matlala then went on to beat Francis Ampofo, Paul Weir, Mickey Cantwell over here as well.

His best win would probably be beating Michael Carbajal .

RIP champ

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=668&cat=boxer

And that is a fine win

I remember the little man, very well muscled and fit as a flea. I'm sad, he can't have been very old.

palooka wrote:

Old bones Ian wrote:Very sad news that Jacob Matlala has died, he was one tough little guy and fought on these shores many times, becoming a favourite over here as our top little men tried to beat him.
I remember the first time watching him against Dave McAuley, which could be argued was Dave's best win looking back.
Jacob was back a few months later to upset Pat Clinton in Scotland for the WBO Fly title, Matlala then went on to beat Francis Ampofo, Paul Weir, Mickey Cantwell over here as well.

His best win would probably be beating Michael Carbajal .

RIP champ

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=668&cat=boxer

And that is a fine win

I remember the little man, very well muscled and fit as a flea. I'm sad, he can't have been very old.

50 I think going on his boxrec profile.

How did he die? Murder? SA has a high murder rate

reggaereggae wrote:How did he die? Murder? SA has a high murder rate

He had been ill for a few years now, unfortunately he had been in a bad way financially as well, and had to have a couple of fundraisers to help with the medical costs. complications related to pneumonia was being reported.

RIP champ

RIP Baby Jake

Thanks for the memories !
R.I.P champ!

R.I.P little man I use to love watching you fight (mini haggler look-a-like). God bless

RIP Champ.

Lovely, skilled fighter. Very underrated. I enjoyed his fights Carbajal, Clinton, McAuley...

Can't believe he lost to Dave Macauley over 22 years ago. I remember watching that fight. Jake was a nobody then, got stopped, who would've known he would go on to achieve what he did

RIP little man.

Great entertainment watching his fights, always looking to knock someone out with a huge grin on his face whilst doing it.

reggaereggae wrote:Can't believe he lost to Dave Macauley over 22 years ago. I remember watching that fight. Jake was a nobody then, got stopped, who would've known he would go on to achieve what he did

Crazy its that long ago, i thought the same watching the fight, the height difference was huge between them, and after the fight i thought thats the last i'll see of the South African, little did i know.

His fights against Ampofo sticks in the mind as well. Both trying to break each other

Rip, think I saw him live a couple of times, maybe on naz undercards

RIP a true champion

Great entertainment and a proper filter in every sense of the word.

Real shame.

RIP Baby Jake.