The boxing world mourns the loss of a legend as Thierry Jacob, former French WBC super bantamweight champion, has passed away at the age of 59. The sad news was confirmed on Friday by the mayor of his hometown, Calais, in northern France.
Jacob, who captured the hearts of his local fans with his remarkable career, clinched the WBC super bantamweight title in 1992 in a historic fight against Mexico’s Daniel Zaragoza. The victory, achieved in front of an ecstatic crowd in Calais, remains one of the city’s proudest moments in sports history.
Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, expressed her sorrow on Facebook, stating, “We begin this day with sad news. Thierry Jacob died overnight, so young.” Her announcement has drawn an outpouring of tributes from fans and the boxing community worldwide.
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Jacob began his professional boxing career in 1984, leaving a lasting impact over a decade-long journey. Known for his resilience and passion, he retired in 1994 with an impressive record of 39 wins and six losses. However, his reign as a world champion was cut short when he lost his title in his first defense to American Tracy Harris Patterson in New York.
Thierry Jacob’s influence extended beyond his career, inspiring a new generation of fighters, including his son, Romain Jacob. Following in his father’s footsteps, Romain claimed the European super featherweight title in 2014, cementing the Jacob family’s legacy in boxing.
