Statue de Thierry Jacob
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Statue de Thierry Jacob
20 Avenue du Président Wilson - 62100 CALAIS
In the heart of Saint-Pierre Park, opposite Calais City Hall, a bronze statue nearly three meters tall depicts Thierry Jacob in a defensive pose. The artwork, inaugurated on April 24, 2026, in the presence of the champion's family and Mayor Natacha Bouchart, was created by sculptor Élisabeth Cibot, who also sculpted the monument to Charles de Gaulle in Calais.
Thierry Jacob is a central figure in Calais' sporting history. French amateur champion at 17, he became French professional champion at 22, then European champion at 25—a title he defended twice in Calais. In 1992, at Fort Nieulay, he won the WBC super bantamweight world title in front of thousands of spectators. He passed away in December 2024.
The artistic project was selected for its expressive quality and clarity: Élisabeth Cibot depicts Jacob in the intensity of the fight rather than in the intoxication of victory. Lacking usable photographs, the sculptor relied on many hours of viewing archival footage to faithfully recreate the boxer's gestures.
