Bowie "Bo" Tupou

This Tongan-American puncher is currently 19-1 (15) and a finely tuned physical specimen at 6'2" and averaging a cut and bulging 260 pounds, but doesn't seem to get a lot of ink compared to some less interesting prospects. Part of this likely stems from only fighting once in the year since suffering his first loss, when he was stopped by Demetrice King in the second round in August of 2009.

He is an in-shape and reasonably young heavyweight with a seemingly big punch, so it would be nice to see him step up and do well...especially as he has adopted as his new home the USA, a country that sorely needs new blood in the division and especially needs a contender that's actually fit and dedicated to staying in the gym. In the gym and in the corner with him is Jeff Mayweather, so there's another thing in his favor.

For those who didn't see the exhibition between Shaquille O'Neal and Shane Mosley, Shaq sparred with Bo in preparation and has said that the body shots he took were the hardest and most painful blunt force he'd ever felt. Granted, you'd expect a heavyweight to hit harder than smaller boxers competing at 147 and 154, but I'd wager that both Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya hit harder than someone like Zuri Lawrence. So we know Tupou at least has legitimate HW power and that his KO ratio isn't total bunk. Shaq also is no shrinking violet and is hardly a typical 38 year old, so if someone as tough and athletic as him says that he got badly hurt you have to take it seriously even if he lacks the perspective of a professional pugilist.

Only three men have last the scheduled distance against him (or indeed, more than a few rounds) - all six rounders. The most recent was Cisse Salif, who is someone that is supposed to give prospects experiential rounds having been stopped only once in 42 bouts.

Can the 28 year old rebound from the snag in his momentum and make a splash, or is he doomed to wallow in the fringe contender muck along with several hundred other hopefuls who will never even dip their toes in the deep end?

Here is his pro debut back in early 2006, where there is already evidence of patient stalking, side-to-side head movement, and sitting down on hard shots (although hand speed is an area of concern, as is being muted offensively by the jab):
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Here he works the pads with Jeff Mayweather a couple of years ago, showing improved technique - as one would expect under a world class trainer - but still a bit slow. (no audio):
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I think a clash between Bo and fellow South Pacific slugger Alex "Lionheart" Leapai could be a real treat.

By the way, if anyone has good quality video of any of his knockout wins, or the upset loss to King (which was reportedly a back-and-forth brawl) - please speak up!

 

Interesting. That would add even more intrigue to a Tupou-Leapai rivalry. Do you know if they ever sparred or trained together?

 

That's what this thread was missing: non-constructive negativity. Thanks!