Thierry Jacob, the former WBC super bantamweight boxing champion, has passed away at the age of 59, his hometown’s mayor confirmed on Friday. Jacob, who achieved global recognition for his victory in 1992, defeated Mexico’s Daniel Zaragoza to claim the WBC title in a thrilling match before his local supporters in Calais, France.
The news was shared by Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, who expressed her sorrow over the loss, writing on Facebook, “We begin this day with sad news. Thierry Jacob died overnight, so young.”
Jacob, who turned professional in 1984, retired from boxing in 1994 after a career that spanned a decade. He ended his journey in the ring with a 39-6 record, losing his WBC title to American Tracy Harris Patterson in his first defense in New York. Despite the setback, Jacob remains a celebrated figure in the sport, particularly in his hometown of Calais.
In addition to his boxing achievements, Jacob’s legacy lives on through his son, Romain Jacob, who followed in his father’s footsteps and won the European super featherweight title in 2014.
The boxing community has expressed deep condolences as fans and fellow athletes remember Jacob’s impact on the sport.
