Deon Potgieter boxing
The irrepressible Baby Jake Matlala is the most popular boxing world champion produced in South Africa in 23 years.
This title was bestowed upon him recently following a nationwide competition held by Old Buck Gin, who awarded him with a special Old Buck Belt. The belt is a prestigious memento in any boxer’s trophy room. To win one a fighter has to win and defend a national title five times or win a world title.
Proof of Matlala’s popularity is the fact that the voting took place between September and December last year, before he won his historic fourth world title. The little big man had only two bouts last year and was robbed on both occasions.
The first was against Hawk Makepula for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior flyweight world title and the second against Peter Culshaw for the World Boxing Union (WBU) flyweight world title. The people spoke, however, and gave credit where it was due by electing Matlala their overall champion.
Matlala, who boasts a record of 51 wins, 12 losses and two draws currently holds the WBU junior flyweight world title and previously held the WBO junior flyweight and flyweight world titles. The fourth title is the International Boxing Association (IBA) junior flyweight crown. He won the IBA title by stopping Michael Carbajal, who was at the time rated the greatest junior flyweight of all time by the authoritative Ring magazine, in nine rounds.
Having already carved the niche in world boxing of being the smallest world champion in the world, this victory means he also has claim on being one of the greatest junior flyweights of all time.
Matlala’s popularity is broader than just those entertained by the toughest sport in the world. He’s often referred to as the second-most popular man in the country after Nelson Mandela, and this could very well be true. Since winning his fourth world title, Matlala has been solidly booked for public appearances and is a firm favourite with young and old. The runner-up in the popularity stakes was Dingaan “The Rose of Soweto” Thobela. His popularity also transcends the sport itself.
These two champions are the last of a unique breed of fighter. They belong to the people and are always willing to share a smile with all who cross their paths. While both men are in the twilight of their careers, the warm glow they have ignited in people’s hearts will always be remembered.
A further award to be presented to the most popular national title Old Buck belt winner will be presented to Vuyani “the Beast” Bungu, this week. Rumours are rife that the former International Boxing Federation junior featherweight world champion is planning a comeback. Although his formal retirement was never announced, he hasn’t set a foot in a ring since being sacrificed to Naseem Hamed early last year.