The boxing world is mourning the loss of Samuel “Tsunami” Teah, a junior welterweight boxer who was tragically killed in a shooting incident in Philadelphia during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Teah, aged 36, was reportedly caught in a domestic dispute that escalated fatally. This sudden and senseless loss has shocked the boxing community and those who knew Teah personally.
Teah’s journey to the United States was marked by hardship and resilience. Born in Liberia, he moved to Ghana with his family at age five to escape the Liberian civil war. After spending five years in Ghana, Teah’s family then relocated to the United States, initially stopping in New York City before settling in Philadelphia, where he spent over 25 years. Tragedy struck in December 2008 when Teah lost his mother, siblings, a nephew, nieces, and a family friend in a devastating fire. This date, “12-26-08,” was memorialized on his boxing trunks as a tribute.
Despite these personal tragedies, Teah forged a respectable boxing career over ten years, transitioning from a promising prospect to a respected contender. His career was marked by notable victories, including wins over O’Shaquie Foster, the current WBC junior lightweight champion, and junior welterweight contender Kenneth Sims Jr. However, Teah also faced setbacks, such as televised losses to Montana Love and Brandun Lee. His resilience shone through as he continued to pursue his boxing aspirations, bouncing back from defeats with determination.
Teah’s final professional win was a significant upset victory over the then-unbeaten Enriko Gogobinka in March 2023. Despite suffering a setback in his last fight against Andrew Rodgers in May, Teah and his manager Sarah Fina were actively planning a comeback in early 2024, with hopes of a rematch or another opportunity to rejuvenate his career.
Image Credit: Showtime