Baby Jake Matlala wants the money raised for him at a boxing gala event last week, but the promoter says the cash will be placed in a trust fund from which he will get a monthly stipend.
"I may be down but I'm not out," says Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala. The likeable pint-sized former professional boxer says he is feeling strong physically and is raring to go out and earn a living.
Double pneumonia had prevented him from doing his motivational talking and television commercials.
"I am back on my feet again," he said yesterday.
Credit must go to boxing promoter Rodney Berman, SuperSport and Emperors Palace who jointly organised a box-and-dive event last week to raise funds for Matlala.
One hundred tables of 10 ranging in price from R7,000 to R14,000 were sold out and an auction raised about R800,000.
Football supremo Irvin Khoza, the Orlando Pirates and Premier Soccer league chairperson, literally carried the auction by spending almost R500,000.
Golden Gloves Promotions announced on its website that Berman, sports administrator Raymond Hack and SuperSport's head of enterprises, Graham Abrahams, would place the money raised in an interest-bearing trust fund for Matlala and they would administer it.
Golden Gloves' spokesperson Brian Mitchell said yesterday that the organisers would first make necessary deductions, such as paying for the items they bought and framed, and place the remainder in the trust fund.
"Matlala will get a monthly salary," he said.
Although happy and grateful, the Matlalas want the money to be deposited into their account because they have debts to settle.
"Already two hospitals have called," Matlala's wife Mapule revealed yesterday.
"We have immediate debts to settle. My kids owe money at school. I must also pay two hospitals," said the former four-time world champion who cannot wait to get back to work.
"I am feeling better and strong. We will definitely thank all South Africans who contributed last week," he said in his parting shot.
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