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.
11 Facts About Jimmy Thunder
1.
2.
Jimmy Thunder held multiple regional heavyweight titles, including the OPBF title from 1989 to 1991 and the Australian title twice between 1992 and 1994.
3.
Jimmy Thunder's mother is from the village of Fasitoouta, and his father is from the village of Falelatai.
4.
Jimmy Thunder went to school at Onehunga High School in Auckland.
5.
Jimmy Thunder defeated Dougie Young in his hometown by unanimous decision.
6.
Jimmy Thunder turned pro in 1988, after being omitted from New Zealand's Seoul Olympic Games team.
7.
Jimmy Thunder changed his surname from Peau to Thunder in 1989 at the suggestion of his manager at the time, Jack Rennie.
8.
Jimmy Thunder finished his 49 fight career with 35 victories, 28 by knockout.
9.
Jimmy Thunder had three children in New Zealand, from his first marriage.
10.
Jimmy Thunder represented the Mt Albert Lions at domestic level, playing at second-row.
11.
Jimmy Thunder was released from the Southern Desert Correctional Center, north of Las Vegas, to US immigration, after his case was considered by an Immigration Court, seeing Peau in threat of being deported to New Zealand.