Sports

Jimmy Peau: Former boxing champion dies at 54 after brain surgery

Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 8:03 PM by Rahaman Abiola

- Jimmy Peau, former IBO and WBF heavyweight champion, has tragically passed away

- Peau died at 54 after failing to recover from brain surgery, plunging boxing fraternity into mourning

- The New Zealander recorded the fastest knock-out ever in boxing history at 1.5 seconds

Boxing fraternity has been plunged into mourning after the death of former world champion Jimmy Peau who passed away at 54 after failing to recover from brain surgery.

Peau passed away in his home in New Zealand while sleeping and his death has left families, friends and associates obviously devastated.

The ex-IBO and WBF heavyweight champion Peau was a gold medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, and he turned professional in 1989.

He hanged the gloves on a high note in 2002 with 35 victories and 14 losses, recording the fastest knock-out win in the history of boxing. The KO came at 1.5 seconds.

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Announcing the passing of Peau who was known as "The Thunder" during his boxing heydays, his brother said: “We know what he went through and what he has achieved.

“He has been quite embarrassed to even face his own family. But he achieved a lot in his career and he has nothing to be ashamed of.”

Peau married his heartthrob Iris Whitemagpie in 2008 but his dream move to the United States was halted by immigration restriction.

Before his death, the former boxing champion was convicted of assault, battery and substantial bodily harm, forcing him to his native town in New Zealand where he finally gave up the ghost.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerian Professional Football League side (NPFL) Plateau United have lost their assistant coach Audu Isa Pele who died on Wednesday afternoon, February 12, after a brief illness.