Joey Jacobs
Joseph Jacobs (born 1 October 1960) is a British former boxer who as an amateur was ABA lightweight champion in 1986, and as a professional was British super featherweight champion in 1990, going on to fight for a world title.
Career
Born in Manchester, Jacobs boxed out of the Fox ABC in Ancoats as an amateur,[1] and won the ABA lightweight (60 kg) championship in 1986.
He represented England and won a bronze medal in the -60 Kg division at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland [3] following in the footsteps of his father Joey Jacobs Sr.
He made his professional debut in October 1986, beating Tony Richards on points. After winning his first five fights, including a points win over Sugar Gibiliru, he suffered his first defeat in March 1987 when he was stopped in the first round by George Baigrie.
In September 1987 he beat Carl Crook on points to take the BBBofC Central Area lightweight title. In November 1988 he challenged for the British lightweight title held by Steve Boyle, the defending champion stopping him in the eighth round.
He dropped down to super featherweight, and in February 1990 beat John Doherty by a single point to take the British super featherweight title.[4] He lost the title seven months later when he was stopped in the eleventh round by Hugh Forde.[4]
In June 1991 he travelled to Italy to challenge for the WBO world junior lightweight title held by Kamel Bou-Ali. Bou-Ali stopped him in the third round, and this proved to be Jacobs' final fight.
We have received this email from Mark Bates from Denton, with a bit of additional info.
I hope you’re well. I’m getting in touch about the "Spotlight On Joey Jacobs" profile on your site.
I boxed Joey Jacobs in what I believe was his 1st senior amateur bout. The fight was at Rotters Night Club, Manchester, around 1984/1985 before he won the ABA lightweight title in 1986. I’m Mark Bates, from Denton.
I thought this might be useful for your records, as early club show details from that era aren’t widely documented. Joey went on to win ABA gold in 1986, Commonwealth bronze in Edinburgh, and the British super featherweight title as a pro.
Happy to confirm any other details if it helps fill gaps in Fox ABC’s history. Also happy for you to use my name if you update Joey’s page.
Best regards,
Mark Bates
Denton, Manchester