Big money raised for Baby Jake

Johannesburg - Retired four-time world champion Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala has appeared at a boxing tournament held in his honor, easing fears over the health of the popular ex-fighter and smallest world titleholder.

The 1.47-meter (4-foot-10) Matlala arrived at the "Night of the Little Big Men" event at Emperor's Palace on Thursday, on a throne carried by bearers, smiling and waving to fans before walking confidently to his ringside seat.

Matlala, 48, a former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion, was admitted to an intensive care unit three times last year with complications related to pneumonia.

Promoter Rodney Berman aims to raise $70,000 for the South African, who he says has been left "financially stretched" by his medical bills.