South African boxing legend Welcome 'The Cat' Matlala, a four-time world champion in the junior flyweight and flyweight divisions, died on August 15, 2015, at the age of 49. His death was confirmed by his family, who stated he had been battling a long illness. Matlala, standing at just 1.47 meters (4 feet 10 inches), was known for his exceptional speed and agility in the ring.
Matlala turned professional in 1987 and won his first world title in 1993, defeating Pat Clinton for the WBO junior flyweight belt. He successfully defended the title multiple times before losing it in 1995. He later captured the IBA junior flyweight title in 1997 and the WBU flyweight title in 2000. His final world title came in 2002 when he won the WBU junior flyweight championship.
After retiring in 2003 with a record of 58 wins (31 by knockout), 8 losses, and 2 draws, Matlala faced personal struggles. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007 and underwent surgery. In 2013, he was attacked and stabbed during a robbery at his home in Johannesburg, an incident that left him with serious injuries. He never fully recovered from the attack and his health declined thereafter.
Matlala's legacy endures as one of South Africa's most beloved sports figures. He was inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. His life story, from poverty to world champion and his tragic fall, has been the subject of documentaries and books, highlighting both his achievements and the challenges he faced outside the ring.
