Jimmy Thunder


Ti'a James Senio Peau, known professionally as Jimmy Thunder, was a Samoan-born New Zealand professional boxer who held the IBO heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995. He held multiple regional heavyweight titles, including the OPBF title from 1989 to 1991 and the Australian title twice between 1992 and 1994.

Early life

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. While born in Apia, he 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. As an amateur he had 89 fights, finishing his amateur career with 83–6 record.

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. 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, scoring the fastest knockout in history at 13 seconds, including the count of 10, which was not even begun, so it lasted 3 seconds, during the quick walk from his corner to the ring centre, immediately throwing the first and only punch with his last step. 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.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49Loss35–14Colin WilsonUD106 Dec 2002State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne, Australia
48Loss35–13Andre PurletteTKO2, 1:016 Jul 2001Reno Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
47Loss35–12Paea Wolfgramm7, 3:001 Apr 2001Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46Win35–11James LesterTKO1, 2:099 Mar 2001Reno Hilton, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
45Loss34–11Charles Shufford8, 3:007 Sep 2000Teamsters Union Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
44Loss34–10Monte BarrettTKO7, 0:5224 Feb 2000Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan, New York, U.S.
43Win34–9Eli DixonTKO2, 3:0018 Nov 1999Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.
42Win33–9Tim WitherspoonUD107 Apr 1998Harrah's Cherokee, Cherokee, North Carolina, U.S.
41Loss32–9Chris ByrdTKO9, 1:0713 Dec 1997Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
40Loss32–8Maurice HarrisKO7, 2:4420 May 1997Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.
39Win32–7Crawford GrimsleyKO1, 0:1318 Mar 1997IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.Record knockout on first punch recorded in 1.5 seconds
38Loss31–7John RuizSD1214 Jan 1997Hale Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.For vacant NABF heavyweight title
37Win31–6Quinn NavarreKO4, 1:388 Oct 1996IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
36Win30–6William MorrisTKO10, 0:508 Oct 1996IMA Sports Arena, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
35Win29–6Will HintonKO7, 1:0527 Feb 1996Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
34Win28–6Melvin FosterTKO8, 1:573 Oct 1995Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, U.S.
33Win27–6Ray AnisTKO7, 2:568 Aug 1995Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.Retained IBO heavyweight title
32Loss26–6Franco Wanyama1016 Jul 1995Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
31Win26–5Bomani ParkerTKO1, 2:3617 Jun 1995MGM Grand Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30Win25–5Daniel DăncuțăTKO2, 2:529 May 1995Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
29Win24–5Trevor BerbickUD1215 Mar 1995Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Prior Lake, Minnesota, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title
28Win23–5Tony Tubbs126 Dec 1994The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.Retained IBO heavyweight title
27Win22–5Richard MasonUD1229 Oct 1994Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBO heavyweight title
26Win21–5Ed DonaldsonTKO2, 2:5227 Sep 1994Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
25Win20–5Marion WilsonUD101 Sep 1994Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
24Win19–5Juan Ramón PerezTKO2 3 Aug 1994Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
23Win18–5Don MackayTKO1, 2:3518 Mar 1994ABCOS Stadium, Adelaide, AustraliaRetained Australian heavyweight title
22Loss17–5Johnny NelsonUD1219 Nov 1993Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New ZealandLost WBF heavyweight title
21Win17–4Mitieli NavuilawaKO1 9 Oct 1993National Indoor Stadium, Suva, Fiji
20Win16–4Melton BowenTKO5 23 Jul 1993Sheraton Breakwater Casino Hotel, Townsville, AustraliaWon vacant WBF heavyweight title
19Win15–4David Ravu RavuKO2 17 Jun 1993Central Coast Leagues Club, Sydney, Australia
18Loss14–4Henry AkinwandePTS1218 Mar 1993Broadway Theatre, London, United KingdomFor vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title
17Win14–3Aisea NamaKO2 30 Jun 1992Apia, Samoa
16Win13–3Craig PetersenUD1214 Jun 1992ASB Stadium, Auckland, New ZealandWon Australian and Australasian heavyweight titles
15Win12–3Young Haumona126 Dec 1991Lumpini Stadium, Auckland, New ZealandWon IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight title
14Loss11–3Craig Petersen124 Nov 1991Festival Hall, Melbourne, AustraliaFor vacant Australian heavyweight title
13Win11–2Aisea NamaKO7 24 Aug 1991Prince Charles Park, Nadi, FijiRetained OPBF heavyweight title
12Loss10–2Derek WilliamsTKO2 1 May 1991York Hall, London, United KingdomFor Commonwealth heavyweight title
11Win10–1Rocky SalanoaKO1, 2:4516 Nov 1990Festival Hall, Melbourne, Australia
10Loss9–1Mike HunterKO4 14 Aug 1990Festival Hall, Melbourne, Australia
9Win9–0J. B. WilliamsonTKO10, 2:4714 Jul 1990Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast, Australia
8Win8–0Mark LeeKO1, 1:221 May 1990Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Australia
7Win7–0Mauricio VillegasTKO4 24 Feb 1990Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant WBC International heavyweight title
6Win6–0Bernardo MercadoTKO1, 1:278 Dec 1989Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Australia
5Win5–0August TanuvasaTKO5, 2:2120 Oct 1989Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant OPBF heavyweight title
4Win4–0Andre Van den OetelaarTKO3 1 Sep 1989Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Australia
3Win3–0Mosese ViliaKO1, 1:1814 Jul 1989Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne, Australia
2Win2–0Kevin Barry2 13 May 1989Silverdome, Launceston, Australia
1Win1–0Niko Degei4 8 Apr 1989National Tennis Centre, Melbourne, AustraliaProfessional debut