I have only just started watching some fights from Baby Jake Matlala (Carbajal, McCauley, Makelim,Weir 1 & 2, Ampofo) and I’m honestly really liking what I’ve seen of him so far. For those who have seen his fights what are your thoughts on him and exactly how good of a fighter was he at 108? And what other fights would you recommend? He’s considered to be the shortest ever boxing champion. But despite his short stature he’s actually a very solid fighter with endless stamina, nonstop punches, heart, and good skills as a pressure fighter. He’s a fun fighter to watch based on the fights I’ve seen of him. This content is protected This content is protected
Highly respected on these Islands (the UK). We could only beat him* with prime McAuley, he was a class above anything else we had to challenge him. Apartheid robbed us of seeing his early development and those of his domestic rivals, Nene and Ward. We got to see Ward later, he was a little bit more classy, but very similar in (lack of) stature to Baby Jake. As for recommendations: the destruction of very good Scot Pat Clinton is worth half an hour of your time. And I suspect if any of the Nene or Ward fights are available, they would also be worth a look. *I see Peter Culshaw (who was talented, but dropped off the planet) got him in his 38th year.
I remember him fondly, a good fans fighter with the attraction of a freaky small stature which was a huge benefit in some respects he was very stout and built like the stump of a tree and was a very strong and powerful little non stop buzz saw.
How does he rank among the Boxing Babies? Anthony “Baby” Jones Sugar Baby Rojas Baby Boy Rolle Who am I missing?
He was a cute little guy. Great to root for. The Carbajal fight was his magnum opus, even though he was fighting a fairly shot opponent. The McAuley fight is my favorite, if only for the surreal quality the size difference brings. Never seen anything like that gulf in any division below Heavyweight.