Former World Boxing Champion Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala is almost destitute in his home land of South Africa after three weeks in hospital with double pneumonia. He is back at home and on oxygen, to aid his recovery, but his spell in hospital has left him with massive bills.
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman, is rallying the boxing public and fellow boxers to help cover the cost of these bills.
He is trying to assemble a star studded line up to fight at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg in January, and budding heavyweight Flo Simba has already signed up to support the cause.
At the moment Rhema Bible Church of which ‘Baby Jake’ is a member is helping pay his bills.
He retired from the ring in 2002 with 68 career fights and 54 wins, twelve losses and two draws. He amazingly had his first amateur bought as a twelve year old. He won the WBU junior flyweight title and was only 4ft 8in tall.
We wish him a speedy recovery and applaud the South African boxing community for their support.
