Farewell Baby Jake, the boxer with grace

When someone dies we grieve for ourselves, for family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. We also grieve for lives touched.

In the case of Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala - an erudite and principled man of the people; sportsman extraordinaire; family man and a friend in the best sense of the word - the grief is boxing's.

Matlala came from a simple family. He dedicated his life and his boundless energy to boxing in Meadowlands Zone 6 in Soweto.

The pocket-sized fighter was trained by Solly Hlatshwayo and Steve Masike while Theo Mthembu, a former journalist, managed his career. Matlala's contemporaries included the likes of skilful Evans "Zuko" Gwiji and Johannes "Baby Joe" Miya.

Boxing is a beautiful sport. It can be a haven for poor people and a place where dreams are born and nurtured. In it we find gems of excellence and sometimes greatness. Matlala was a gem, affable and intelligent with a sharp sense of humour. He enjoyed most non-pugilistic aspects of life.

From his beloved Dube Boyz Club, Matlala was an indispensable part of the boxing intelligentsia in this country. Feisty and fiercely independent, he was like most in the fight game, unscrupulous and manipulative at times, but basically he was a good-natured, non-violent, home-loving individual. He had powerful opinions on boxing commissions, ring officials and incompetence.

Matlala was a cannonball. He never stopped believing that he was destined to emulate his countryman, Jake Ntuli, and become an international brand.

Matlala was a likeable little big man with the heart of a lion inside the ring. He became the first South African boxer to win the IBA title, a feat he achieved after dethroning legendary American Michael Cabajal - a five-time champion of Mexican descent.

For Matlala there will be no more sparring sessions, no bags, no pads, no gloving. His death diminishes his beloved sport.