Jimmy Thunder
| Jimmy Thunder | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | James Peau |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | Samoa |
| Born |
3 February 1966 Apia, Upolu, Samoa |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 49 |
| Wins | 35 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  New Zealand
|
||
| Men's Boxing | ||
| Commonwealth Games | ||
 |
1986 Edinburgh | Heavyweight |
Jimmy Thunder (born James Peau; 3 February 1966) is a Samoan former professional boxer. He held the Australian heavyweight title twice, as well as the IBO and WBF heavyweight titles.
During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau. His mother is from the village of Fasitoouta, and his father is from the village of Falelatai. Thunder was born third out of six siblings. They all grew up in Auckland, New Zealand.
He went to school at Onehunga High School in Auckland. His friend introduced Thunder to Gerry Preston. Preston took on the young Samoan into his boxing gym in Mangere Bridge. In his early amateur days, Thunder became the first Samoan-born fighter to win a gold medal in the heavyweight division, representing New Zealand at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland. He defeated Dougie Young in his hometown by unanimous decision. It was one of the nine gold medals won for New Zealand in that year.
Thunder turned pro in 1988, after being omitted from New Zealand's Seoul Olympic Games team. He changed his surname from Peau to Thunder in 1989 at the suggestion of his manager at the time, Jack Rennie. Later in his professional career he also fought under the name James Thunder. Among his notable victories are wins over Tony Tubbs, Craig Peterson, Trevor Berbick, and Tim Witherspoon. On the 18 March 1997 edition of the USA Network's Tuesday Night Fights he knocked out Crawford Grimsley with his first punch, the fight lasting 1.5 seconds before the count; the record for the world's fastest knockout. He finished his 49 fight career with 35 victories, 28 by knockout. Throughout his career he won regional titles including the Australian Heavyweight Champion twice as well as winning the lesser IBO and WBF Heavyweight titles.
...
Wikipedia