1990s heavyweight fringe contender Jimmy Thunder 35-14 (28 Ko’s) sadly passed away this week due to complications following surgery to remove a small brain tumour in his native Auckland, New Zealand.. Jimmy was only 54 but like a colourful and eventful life.
The huge punching Thunder faced 8 legitimate world champions throughout his 49 fight career, including Tim Witherspoon, Chris Byrd, JB Williamson, Tony Tubbs and Trevor Berbick..
Thunder Picked up the vacant WBF heavyweight championship by stopping Jamaican Melton Bowen in 1993, before losing it the same year to future cruiserweight world champion Johnny Nelson..
A year later he won the IBO title beating tough Richard Mason, making two defences over the next twelve months beating both Tony Tubbs and Ray Anis..
Jimmy twice attempted to win the commonwealth title against Henry Akinwande and Derrick Williams before making a vain attempt to lift the NABF title in 1997 losing a marginal split decision to future WBA champion John Ruiz...
Despite falling upon hard times in the mid 2000s, Thunder appeared to find his feet when he married a Native American lady by the name of Iris Whitemagpie in 2008, although a year later the New Zealander was rumoured to have been living rough on the streets of Las Vegas.. in 2011 Thunder ran into immigration issues when his US visa was revoked following several run ins with the law... Jimmy was deported back to his country of birth in 2012 where he remained until his passing.. Jimmy held the honour of scoring the fastest knockout in history in 1997 when he poleaxed Crawford Grimsley after just 1.5 seconds of the opening session..
Thunder really was a huge star in his native country and could have been a legitimate champion has the stars fallen into place.. A man that I only met on occasion, but found to be warm hearted and good natured..
RIP James Thunder.
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