Matchroom chairman, Eddie Hearn, reserved the highest of praises for rapidly-rising heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana who, on Wednesday, scored a first-round knockout over Bowie Tupou, dropping the experienced opponent after only 74 seconds to extend his first-round KO streak to 11, unbeaten.
“That was one of the scariest knockouts I’ve seen,” he said, moments after the 28-year-old’s performance at The Melbourne Pavilion in Victoria, Australia. Skye Nicolson beat Mariah Turner to a lopsided decision in the main event.
“This guy has got devastating power. We know there’s levels above Bowie Tupou, but these are the kind of opponents you have to go through on the way to the top. They’re the kind of opponents you hope will give you rounds. You’re not gonna do rounds with Teremoana Teremoana.”
With the heavyweight division in a state of flux, there is a growing narrative regarding who could become the recognized, consensus champion after Oleksandr Usyk either retires, or is beaten.
The bigger names of the last decade — from Tyson Fury to Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder — are all in a similar position to Usyk, with only a handful of fights left.
Behind them, are a number of considerable talents like Moses Itauma and Fabio Wardley, should he defeat Daniel Dubois in May.
But, for Hearn, fans should keep an eye, if not two, on Teremoana Teremoana, too.
“What you’re watching right now is a future world heavyweight champion,” he said.
“This is going to be a huge star. He’s not just got the personality, he’s not just got the dance moves, he can really fight and he’s got power in both hands. A giant of a man.”
Teremoana Teremoana made his pro debut in 2020 and has built a pro record so far of 11 wins (11 KO).
