WITH seven knockout wins in seven professional fights, Teremoana Teremoana has emerged as a heavyweight to keep an eye on in recent months. The Aussie will look to continue his impressive run on Saturday night against Aleem Whitfield.
Despite receiving recognition only recently, Teremoana, 7-0 (7 KOs), debuted in 2020 and scored four stoppage wins in a combined six rounds to begin life as a professional.
However, the ponytailed 6’6” behemoth then decided to focus on the amateur scene and put together a run of victories that saw him represent his nation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Intrigued by the unique specimen and name that is Teremoana Teremoana, fans were left stunned as the Campbelltown-born big man excelled in the opening round of the Games, scoring the only stoppage win of the tournament as he halted Ukraine’s Dmytro Lovchynskyi inside three minutes.
Yet, an unfortunate draw saw Teremoana tasked with eventual gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov in the quarter-final, where he gave a good account of himself but ultimately lost 5-0 to the Uzbek.
Whilst defeat to Jalolov ended Teremoana’s hopes of a medal, his performance also earned him a contract with Matchroom Boxing. That move began a fresh chapter for Jr as a professional with newfound hype, backing and expectations.
Under the tutelage of Eddie Hearn, the 27-year-old has fought thrice since December and has won via first-round knockout on each occasion, running through Volodymyr Katsuk, Osasu Otobo and James Singh in a trifecta of destructive displays.
This spree was expected to continue on Australian soil last Sunday on the Opetaia-Squeo card, but Jaipal Singh’s withdrawal 24 hours before their scheduled bout caused Teremoana’s plans to be derailed.
Instead of waiting for the next suitable card in Australia, Hearn and Teremoana have now made the gutsy decision to fly the heavyweight sensation out to New York for a surprise U.S. debut on just seven days’ notice.
There, Teremoana will collide with undefeated New Yorker Aleem Whitfield, 9-0 (6 KOs), in a six-round affair, where he will hope that he can shake off any jet lag caused by the disruption to continue his streak of early triumphs.
TEREMOANA TEREMOANA VS. ALEEM WHITFIELD FIGHT PREDICTION
Although his record suggests he could be Teremoana’s toughest test, 35-year-old Whitfield has fought just twice since 2015, after being shot and later spending time in prison, winning by disqualification in both of those contests.
Teremoana should have little issues overcoming the ‘Hammer’ in the latter’s backyard. Another knockout within a couple of rounds can be expected.
