James Thunder
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Thunder is a former Samoan
boxer
.
, 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.
, 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.
, Las Vegas. , 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 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.
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Early life
During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau. 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 AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. 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
Malietoa
Malietoa is a state dynasty and chiefly title in Samoa. Literally translated as "great warrior," the title's origin comes from the final words of the Tongan warriors as they were fleeing on the beach to their boats, "Malie To`a, Malie tau"....
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
Gerry Preston
Gerald William Preston was a noted New Zealand boxing trainer and former boxer. Preston trained many of New Zealand's most successful boxers, including heavyweight champions David Tua and Jimmy Thunder, and New Zealand professional middleweight champion of the 1970s Billy Opetaia.-References:...
. 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
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
at the 1986 Commonwealth Games
1986 Commonwealth Games
The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second time. The Games were held from 24 July-2 August 1986.-Organisation and Controversy:...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He defeated Dougie Young
Dougie Young
Dougie Young was a singer and songwriter from South West Queensland. Young had a white father and a Gurnu mother.Earlier in his life he worked as a stockman, during which he learnt the guitar and started writing songs. A riding accident later ended his working as a stockman...
in his hometown by unanimous decision
Unanimous decision
A unanimous decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which all three judges agree on which fighter won the match....
. 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. Later in his professional career he also fought under the name James Thunder. Among his notable victories are wins over Tony TubbsTony Tubbs
Tony Tubbs is a retired professional heavyweight boxer who was the WBA Heavyweight Champion of the world from 1985 to 1986.-Amateur career:...
, Craig Peterson, Trevor Berbick
Trevor Berbick
Trevor Berbick was a Jamaican-Canadian heavyweight boxer who fought as a professional from 1976 until 2000. Berbick briefly held the WBC heavyweight championship in 1986 , before losing it to 20-year old Mike Tyson, via 2nd-round TKO...
, and Tim Witherspoon
Tim Witherspoon
"Terrible" Tim Witherspoon is an American boxer who was twice world heavyweight champion.-Early career:Witherspoon had eight and a half amateur bouts, losing one to Marvis Frazier on decision after getting knocked down....
. 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
- IBOInternational Boxing OrganizationThe International Boxing Organization is a for-profit organization that sanctions professional boxing matches and awards world and subordinate championships.- Origins :...
Heavyweight Title - OPBFOriental and Pacific Boxing FederationThe Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation is a professional boxing organization that sanctions title fights in the Asian and Pacific region.-History:The OPBF was formed in 1954 by the Japanese, Korean, and Filipino boxing commissions...
Heavyweight Title - WBCWorld Boxing CouncilThe World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
International Heavyweight Title - IBFInternational Boxing FederationThe International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
Pan Pacific Heavyweight Title - Australian Heavyweight Title
- WBFWorld Boxing FederationThe World Boxing Federation is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. Its offices are located in Luxembourg.-History:...
Heavyweight Title - WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Title
Personal life
Following his retirement in 2002, Thunder spent time living homeless in Sunset ParkSunset Park, Las Vegas
Sunset Park, one of the largest parks in Las Vegas, is located near McCarran Airport in the southeast part of town. The park is bordered by Sunset Road on the north, Eastern Avenue on the west and Warm Springs Road on the south.-History:...
, Las Vegas. , 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
Samoa national rugby league team
-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...
. 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.