Boxing fans around the globe mourn the loss of former WBC super-bantamweight champion Thierry Jacob, who passed away at age 59 in his hometown of Calais, France. The sad news was confirmed earlier this week by Calais’s mayor, Natacha Bouchart.
Jacob will be remembered for his thrilling victory over Daniel Zaragoza on March 20, 1992, in front of a hometown crowd. By toppling Zaragoza on points over 12 rounds, the Frenchman captured the WBC super-bantamweight title - a career highlight that further cemented his local hero status. Although he dropped the belt to Tracy Harris Patterson just three months later, Jacob’s courage and formidable style earned him back-to-back clashes with the legendary Wilfredo Vasquez for the WBA crown.
Before that WBC title triumph, the heavy-hitting Jacob twice battled for IBF titles, most notably against Kelvin Seabrooks in 1987, where he knocked down the American three times but was ultimately stopped in the ninth. Despite his come-from-ahead losses, the French slugger kept pushing, defeating the UK’s Duke McKenzie in 1990 to win the EBU European bantamweight belt - an accomplishment that led him to another shot at world honors.
Jacob concluded his professional career in 1994 with a record of 39-6, 20 KOs, retiring as one of the most respected French fighters of his era. His passing leaves behind cherished memories for fight fans, and his storied achievements will forever be a part of boxing history.
Image Credit: PQR