Australian breakout heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana has continued his destructive rise through the ranks, knocking out American Curtis Harper to notch up his 10th win — and 10th KO — from as many fights.
The undefeated 28-year-old powerhouse needed just 179 seconds to make his mark in Florida on Sunday, unleashing a devastating right hand that left Harper out cold on the canvas.
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It was the eighth time the former Olympian has finished an opponent in the opening round, further cementing his reputation as a dangerous puncher.
“That short right hand – you couldn’t even see it, and you can bet Curtis Harper definitely didn’t see it … that is scary right there,” said DAZN commentator Sergio Mora.
Mora, a former world champion, compared Teremoana’s power to one of boxing’s most feared knockout artists, Julian ‘The Hawk’ Jackson.
“That was a Julian Jackson-type knockout, where they’re out before they hit the canvas,” Mora said.
“They get knocked out twice – by the punch and by the canvas.
“And they don’t move.”
The towering 6’6” (198cm) Aussie told analyst Chris Mannix he intends to stay active in 2026.
“I want to fight as much as possible,” he said following the fight.
“I want to hopefully get that Australian strap and move on from there.
“I want to be world champion.Give me a year or two and I’m going to be contesting it with all these top guys.”
Two former Australian heavyweight champions have also praised the rising prospect.
“He definitely has all the attributes to make it,” Bob Mirovic told Fox Sports Australia after the fight.
Mirovic, who went toe-to-toe with greats like Joe Bugner, Nikolai Valuev and Frans Botha – and was even a sparring partner for Mike Tyson – knows the traps that can catch hyped young fighters.
“The crucial part is for him to stay focused and humble and not think too highly of himself.
“It would be good to see him land some big fights and see him do well.”
Ben Edwards, who held the Australian heavyweight crown in 2015, admitted he hasn’t seen all of Teremoana’s fights – but what he has seen has impressed.
“To transition out of Olympic style boxing into the professional ranks and get ten KO’s in a row is very impressive,” Edwards said.
“A lot of successful amateurs struggle to make the jump well because of the increased emphasis of throwing damaging punches as opposed to landing punches to score points.
“So moving forward he will definitely have my attention.”
Australian Boxer Teremoana Teremoana ready for the Paris Olympics. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
Teremoana’s promoter Eddie Hearn told Fox Sports Australia earlier this month that finding willing opponents for the heavyweight on home soil has become a major headache.
“If there are any Australian heavyweights watching this interview right now, step up and fight our man Teremoana Teremoana,” he said.
“It’s so difficult to get Australian heavyweights to face this man.
“He’s an absolute monster.
“Nine fights, nine wins, nine knockouts … he’s so good that they had to name him twice.
“And I believe that you’re looking at the future heavyweight champion.”
The big question now is how far the Queenslander can go from here.
“All the way,” the UK promoter stressed. “I look at this guy and see a superstar in waiting.
“Huge man, punches hard, he’s got the personality, the smile and he’s got the aura … when I look at the star power he has, you’re going to see him headlining on Fox Sports soon.”
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Teremoana began boxing at just 12, introduced to the “sweet science” by his father as a way to help look after his older sisters.
It wasn’t until the passing of his grandfather, Teremoana Tangauru, in 2018 that he began to seriously consider boxing as a career.
Previously known as Samson, he changed his name to Teremoana in tribute to his grandfather.
‘Everyone in Australia called me that (Samson) because it’s easier to say. But I’m named after my grandfather, Teremoana and he passed away a few months before my 21st,’ he told Cook Island News.
‘In order to recognise him and carry on his name, I’ve taken on the family name and I also haven’t cut my hair since my 21st. So I’m the new and improved Samson.
‘When I used to be called Samson I use to feel like I was hidden and I could get away with a few things.
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“But now everything I do directly links back to my family, links back to the Cook Islands and I just have this sense of pride. So I thought I might as well do something with it.”
Teremoana is set to return to the ring in April in Melbourne, on a card headlined by fellow Aussie Skye Nicolson as she makes her bold push to become undisputed world champion.
The event, which also features an exciting co-main between Australian super-lightweights Jake Wyllie and Ibrahim Balla, marks the first of seven Matchroom Boxing shows scheduled Down Under this year.