THE CHAMPION!
Even though the man was diminutive and looked almost rooted
to the ground, he was hard to ignore.
I watched the man hard at work in the morning and at
sunset. This man had a dream to become a world champion in boxing world.
I can remember so vividly, how I used to pass by the tiny
local clubhouse in Dube Soweto... on my way to work, to church and back.
I must
say, in my whole life I have never seen anyone who worked harder than the Champion.
Only God knows just how much I admired the man.
Jacob “Baby
Jakes” Matlala, was the name of the diminutive boxer. He was only 4 ft 10 tall
and the shortest man in boxing history.
Despite all the impediments of being the shortest man in
the ring, one could almost feel pity for the diminutive boxer.
The man was more than determined to fight his way up the
highest crown in his weight divisions.
The Champ didn’t disappoint and carried all our hopes in
South Africa!
All the hard work and the discipline Baby Jakes had for the
course: eventually paid out.
The diminutive boxer became the reigning champ in four
different weights.
The world watched in awe, as the Champion stood his ground
and fought his course to win.
Against all odds the Champion brought down every giant
he faced in the ring!
Baby Jakes convinced the whole world that diminutiveness in
the boxing world; is not a handicap but an advantage!
Like the young proverbial David who slew Goliath the
giant. Matlala saw his opponents as too big to miss! After all, we climb every
staircase from the bottom up!
Baby Jakes found it easier to squeeze out all the stamina
by punching hard the sides of his opponents.
It was very fascinating for me to even imagine, I was
watching the same diminutive boxer who rose from such humble beginnings!
His fights total was monumental. Winning 53 out of 68
fights, was no easy achievement for the diminutive boxer!
The Champion suffered 13 losses, two draws and zero no
contest. Baby Jakes proved his outstanding pedigree.
Achieving incredible record of 26 knockouts! The Champion became
a global icon!
The Champion. Through tireless hard work and zero
tolerance for failure... Baby Jakes rose up and picked his status from poverty
to being a multi millionaire!
Jacob “Baby Jakes” Matlala didn’t struggle with fame and
celebrity lifestyle nor forgot his roots. The Champion remained humble and down
to earth.
Sadly, after amassing all his proverbial wealth, like
most people; Jacob made significant investment mistakes which triggered his
financial doom!
I must say despondently and unfortunately so, am not sure whether
my Champion had or ignored his financial advisors.
The Champion suffered massive financial losses which pulled
curtains over his erstwhile limelight resulting in depression.
At least, on the brighter side, the Champion realized his
own dream and tasted the sweetness and bitterness of his own success!
The
Champion. Baby Jakes, wow! You made us all proud...
Your individual master’s stroke remains encrypted in
Africa’s Greatest Boxers Wall Of Fame!
R.I.P. Jacob 'Baby Jakes' Matlala
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The author would really appreciate your constructive comments based on how you understood and interpret each poem. Poems can mean different things to different persons and all views can be correct as long as they conform to the contents thereof. This is the beauty of Poetry.
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