Tributes flowing for boxer Jimmy Peau

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jimmy Peau has passed away in Auckland.

Peau, a Samoan born New Zealander, won gold in the superheavyweight division at the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games.

Sports journalist Joseph Romanos took to Twitter to remember the fighter known as ‘Jimmy Thunder’.

“So sad to hear heavyweight boxer Jimmy Thunder has died, at just 54. I watched him (when he was Jimmy Peau) win a gold medal in the 1986 Comm Games. A lovely bloke. RIP Jimmy”

Peau turned professional in 1988 and won the Australian heavyweight title twice, he also won the IBO and WBF heavyweight titles.

The fighter was known for his devastating power and was involved in one of the shortest fights in boxing history, when he had Crawford Grimsley counted out 13 seconds into their 1997 bout. 

Peau is remembered fondly by the New Zealand Olympic Committee and Boxing New Zealand.