Background
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.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Jimmy Thunder
Edit Profile
Career
During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau. He went to school at Onehunga High School in Auckland. Preston took on the young Samoan into his boxing gym in Mangere Bridge.
He defeated Dougie Young in his hometown by unanimous decision.
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 United States of America 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.
Achievements
-
IBO Heavyweight Title OPBF Heavyweight Title WBC International Heavyweight Title IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight Title Australian Heavyweight Title WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title Las Vegas. As of 2010, he was working as a personal trainer and part-time bodyguard. Thunder"s eldest son, Louis Peau, has played for the Samoa national rugby league team In April 2010, Thunder was arrested after police discovered he has not held an American green card since 2003. He had been detained in a Nevada immigration centre from August 2010 to August 2011, when he was released on bail.
