French boxing legend Thierry Jacob, a former world title holder, has passed away at the age of 59, as confirmed by the mayor of Calais on Friday.
Jacob achieved global recognition in 1992 when he claimed the WBC super bantamweight title.
The victory came in an electrifying match against Mexico’s Daniel Zaragoza, held in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Calais.
Born in the northern port city, Jacob turned professional in 1984 and enjoyed a decade-long career in the ring. He retired with an impressive record of 39 wins and 6 losses.
However, his reign as WBC champion was short-lived, as he lost the title during his first defense against American Tracy Harris Patterson in New York.
The Jacob family’s legacy in boxing continued through his son, Romain Jacob, who won the European super featherweight title in 2014.
The announcement of Thierry Jacob’s passing has left the boxing community and his hometown mourning the loss of a cherished figure.
