Australian heavyweight Bowie Tupou has promised to test the growing headlines surrounding undefeated Olympian Teremoana Jnr, reminding how plenty of hyped domestic prospects have eventually been made to “suffer”.
Boasting 20 years in the professional ranks, Tupou has this week announced himself as one of the few Aussie heavyweights willing to step up and face a 28-year-old puncher now being dubbed the nation’s new KO King.
Apart from being undefeated in all 10 fights, Teremoana Jnr is also on a tear of seven straight first round finishes – with many predicting Tupou will be No.8 when they throw down on Matchroom Boxing’s April 29 card in Melbourne.
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Tupou, however, has other plans, and suggested as much after the two men faced off for the first time in Brisbane on Tuesday afternoon.
Asked about Teremoana having already been declared a future world champion by UK promoter Eddie Hearn, Tupou told Fox Sports Australia: “Look, it’s his team and they can hype him up as much as they want to.
“But he’s still young.
“And I’ve got 20 years’ experience.
“I know they think I’m old, and have probably tried to assess my power and aggressiveness.
“But what I will say is that back when I was living and competing in America, I fought every single guy required to get to the top (and into world title contention).
“But that’s not like here.
“Here in Australia, you can move guys around to get them to the top. Have them take easy fights.
“When I eventually came home and realised what was happening, that shocked me.
“I said to my wife ‘I’ve been in America and fought everyone, got beat up, and got myself to the top’.
“But here, they know how to work their way around.
“And, yes, you can do that.
“But then when it comes time to take on a real fighter, your guy is going to get hurt.
“He’s going to suffer.
“And that’s because you’ve babied him from day one.
“You have to put your guy into the deep water, let him find out if he really is at that level.
“That way too, you’ll be respected.
“Find out if you can really be a champion … not trying to take some back door to get there.”
Initially tipped for an NRL career with Penrith, Tupou surprisingly switched to boxing and during a long career has trained with the likes of Johnny Lewis, Jeff Fenech and even spent a considerable stint in the United States.
The former leaguie is also no stranger to big finishes inside the boxing ring, among them a scary 2019 KO that left opponent Randall Rayment out cold for what seemed an eternity.
Apart from becoming world ranked under Fenech, Tupou has also been in the ring with notable heavyweights like Joseph Parker, Malik Scott and Bryant Jennings.
Based Stateside throughout the early 2000s, where he trained with the likes of Justin Fortune and Roger Mayweather, the powerful Sydneysider was also one of Alex Leapai’s main sparring partners when challenging Wladimir Klitschko for the world heavyweight title.
While now aged 43, Tupou still shapes as arguably the toughest test of Teremoana’s undefeated career.
Asked his reaction when offered the 2024 Olympian, and fella described as one of the nation’s most avoided fighters, Tupou grinned: “I said ‘yes’ straight away.
“Sure, he’s a younger fighter who has been knocking out everyone.
“I mean, his fights don’t even pass what? First or second round?
“He’s tall, powerful, has the leverage … but I’ve been fighting 20 years.
“And I’ll be using all that experience to take him deeper than he’s ever been. Then see if he can handle it there.”
Teremoana Jnr, meanwhile, agreed that Tupou will be the toughest test of his brief, albeit exciting, career.
“He’s a guy who has been boxing since I was eight years old,” the now Brisbane-based fighter said. “You look at his resume, he’s had 29 fights. So he’ll definitely know a few tricks that I don’t.
“I also know he has a lot of power.
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“He’s originally from the island of Tonga and they all have power over there.
“But I’m looking forward to the challenge
“Yes, I’m really looking forward to sharing the ring with someone boasting that experience.
“But I’m here to prove a point.
“I really believe it’s time for the young guns to come up.”
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