Jean Baptiste Mendy

Jean-Baptiste Mendy (16 March 1963 – 31 August 2020) was a Senegal-born French professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 2000. He was a two-time lightweight world champion, having held the WBC title from 1996 to 1997 and the WBA title from 1998 to 1999. At regional level he held the European lightweight title twice between 1992 and 1995.

Professional career
Mendy turned professional in 1983 and compiled a record of 45–4–2 (1 NC) before facing Miguel Ángel González for the WBC lightweight title, he would lose via fifth round stoppage.

WBC lightweight title
Mendy would get another shot at the same title two years later but this time would be successful and won the belt vacated by González by beating Lamar Murphy. He lost the title in his first defense to Stevie Johnston the following year.

WBA lightweight title
In 1998, he captured the WBA lightweight title with a decision win over Orzubek Nazarov. He defended the belt once before losing it to Julien Lorcy in 1999. He retired the following year.

Personal life
He died at the age of 57 from cancer on 31 August 2020 in Paris, France.