FORMER world boxing champion Thierry Jacob has died aged 59 after a battle with lung cancer.
Jacob held the WBC super-bantamweight world title and fought all of his career in France.
He passed away at his home in Calais after losing his battle with cancer.
Natacha Bouchart, mayor of the northern port city, announced on Facebook: “We begin this day with sad news. Thierry Jacob died overnight, so young.”
Jacob turned professional in 1984 after a good amateur career and won his first 21 bouts.
He was first defeated in 1987 by Kelvin Seabrooks when challenging for the IBF bantamweight title.
Jacob also failed in attempts to win the EBU IBF super-bantamweight belts.
But he did claim victory over British legend Duke McKenzie in 1990 for the EBU bantamweight strap.
He lost three world title fights – against Tracy Harris Patterson and Wilfredo Vazquez (twice) – before his retirement bout.
Jacob beat Edgar Orlando Ballen before hanging up the gloves with a 39-6 career.
His brothers Bruno and Herve were also boxers and won national and European titles with a fourth brother, Jacky, coaching.
Jacob later trained his sons Romain and Joffrey – who both won titles.
Romain was a former European super-feather champ while Joffrey won a French title.
