- Jimmy Thunder
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Jimmy Thunder Statistics Real name James Peau Rated at Heavyweight Nationality 
SamoaBorn February 3, 1966
Apia, Upolu, SamoaStance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 49 Wins 35 Wins by KO 28 Losses 14 Medal record Competitor for 
New ZealandMen's Boxing Commonwealth Games Gold 1986 Edinburgh Heavyweight Jimmy Thunder (born February 3, 1966 in Apia, Western Samoa as James Peau), is a former Samoan boxer.
Contents
Early life
During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau.[1] His mother Papaliitele Milagi Leaupepe is from the village of Fasitoouta, and his father Lupematasila Maalo Faasavalu Peau is from the village of Falelatai. Thunder was born third out of six siblings. They all grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. Jimmy is also a direct descendant of the paramount royal chief of Samoa Malietoa NatuitasinaTaimalelagi from his grandmother's side. She was Malelega, daughter of Aionofaasisina, son of Pouvi Malietoa who was the son of Malietoa Natuitasina Taimalelagi. Thunder was also bestowed the chief title 'Ti'a' in Fasitoouta Samoa in 1996.
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.
Career
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.[1] Later in his professional career he also fought under the name James Thunder.[2] Among his notable victories are wins over Tony Tubbs, Craig Peterson, Trevor Berbick, and Tim Witherspoon. On 18 March 1997 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.
Titles held
- IBO Heavyweight Title
- OPBF Heavyweight Title
- WBC International Heavyweight Title
- IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight Title
- Australian Heavyweight Title
- WBF Heavyweight Title
- WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title
Personal life
Following his retirement in 2002, Thunder spent time living homeless in Sunset Park, Las Vegas.[3] As of 2010[update], he was working as a personal trainer and part-time bodyguard.[4] Thunder's eldest son, Louis Peau, has played for the Samoa national rugby league team.[5] In April 2010 he was arrested after police discovered he has not held an American green card since 2003. Peau had been detained in a Nevada immigration centre from August 2010 to August 2011, when he was released on bail.[6]
References
- ^ a b Coffey, John (3 July 1998). "Trainer adamant Jimmy Thunder can go all the way". The Christchurch Press.
- ^ Pascoe, Bruce (10 May 1995). "Thunder scores easy TKO". The Las Vegas Review-Journal.
- ^ Kilgallon, Steve (21 March 2010). "'Thunder' Jimmy Peau on the canvas". The Sunday Star-Times. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/3481691/Thunder-Jimmy-Peau-on-the-canvas. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ "Whatever happened to Jimmy?". Stuff.co.nz. 29 June 2010. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/3862639/Whatever-happened-to-Jimmy. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ Mackey, Turei (29 June 2010). "Tough son of 'Thunder'". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/3862638/Tough-son-of-Thunder. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
- ^ Kilgallon, Steve (17 July 2011). "Former boxing champ held as US illegal alien". Stuff.co.nz. http://www.stuff.co.nz/5297556. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1966 births
- Living people
- Samoan boxers
- New Zealand boxers
- Boxers at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for New Zealand
- People from Tuamasaga
- Commonwealth Games competitors for New Zealand
- International Boxing Organization Champions
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