French former boxing world champion Thierry Jacob passed away at the age of 59, as announced by the mayor of his hometown, Calais, on Friday, December 20.
Thierry Jacob, who made a significant mark in the boxing world by winning the WBC super bantamweight title in 1992, achieved this milestone in front of a supportive crowd in his hometown, Calais in France, defeating Mexican boxer Daniel Zaragoza.
Natacha Bouchart, the mayor of Calais, expressed her condolences on Facebook earlier today, highlighting the impact the former world champion had on the community.
She wrote, “We begin this day with sad news. Thierry Jacob died overnight, so young.”
Recall that Jacob launched his professional boxing career in 1984 and concluded it in 1994 with an impressive record of 39 wins and 6 losses.
Although his time as WBC super bantamweight champion was briefer than expected, as he lost the title in his first defence against American Tracy Harris Patterson in New York, his contributions to the sport remain noteworthy, especially within his community.
The legacy of the Jacob family continues in boxing, with one of his sons, Romain Jacob, following in the footsteps of the late boxer and winning the European super featherweight title in 2014, ensuring that Thierry Jacob’s influence in the sport endures.