Before the kick-off of the 32nd final of the French Football Cup between Calais and Strasbourg at the Épopée stadium on Saturday December 21, 2024, a tribute was paid to the Calais resident and former world boxing champion Thierry Jacob. His death, which occurred on December 20, caused great emotion throughout the city.
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The death of Thierry Jacob, boxing legend from Calais, on Friday December 20, 2024 aroused a lot of emotion among the Calais residents, who paid tribute to him at the Épopée stadium the next day, during the 32nd finals of the French Cup.
“I wanted a well-deserved tribute to be paid to Thierry Jacob, our world boxing champion from Calais, who died yesterday.” explained the mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart in a Facebook post.
After a sound evocation of the career of the boxing champion who was very attached to the city, the applause of the public – nearly 12,000 supporters – and players from Calais and Strasbourg resounded in the Épopée stadium.
Thierry Jacob was very appreciated by the Calais residents. Through his titles – French bantamweight champion in 1987, European champion in 1991-1992 in the same category and world super-bantamweight champion in 1992 – he put the spotlight on his hometown.
“It’s clear that this will leave a void in Calais.”assures Natacha Bouchart. She continues: “I will remember him as a kind, affectionate man. Far from the image we have of rings, violent or rough. He was a dedicated person.”
His commitment to the city of Calais did not stop at boxing. The former boxer was employed at the town hall as head of urban cleanliness.
