Austin Turpin is back in the win column.
Returning at heavyweight, Turpin opened the night at Power Slap 19 and walked away with a dominant 30-27 decision victory over TJ Thomas.
It wasn’t the knockout he wanted, but it was exactly the kind of performance he needed.
A Dominant Return, Even Without the Finish
Turpin made it clear he wasn’t satisfied with going the distance.
“Sorry to the fans I didn’t get the knockout.”
Still, he felt he controlled the match from start to finish, saying Thomas was “ice skating all over the place” and struggling to stay composed after taking shots.
For Turpin, the win was less about perfection and more about momentum.
“This was exactly what I needed to give me a little bit of a mental push.”
Still Not Happy With His Strike
Despite the clean scorecards, Turpin admitted he needs to sharpen things up.
This was the second straight time fans didn’t see him get a finish, and he put that responsibility on himself.
“I think it’s me.”
He promised to go back, put in the work, and return stronger.
“You ain’t seen the last of me and you ain’t seen the best of me.”
Bad Blood With TJ Thomas
The tension between Turpin and Thomas didn’t end when the match was over.
Turpin called Thomas “phony” and said he didn’t like how friendly Thomas had been privately compared to how he acted publicly.
“If I don’t like you, I’m gonna let you know from start to finish.”
Safe to say, there wasn’t much burying the hatchet after this one.
Fatherhood Has Changed His Focus
Behind the wild personality, Turpin opened up about what truly motivates him now: his family.
Now a husband and father of two, he said Power Slap has become a team effort with his wife.
“We’re looking at Power Slap as a team now.”
He also pushed back on criticism about his weight, saying his priority has been his family and his boys.
“I put my work and effort into my family.”
Is 265-Pound Austin Turpin Here to Stay?
Turpin came in at the top of the heavyweight limit, but don’t expect him to stay there forever.
He admitted heavyweight wasn’t his long-term plan and said he expects to return closer to the lower end of the division.
“Austin Turpin won’t make it to 245 or 250.”
Still, if Power Slap calls, Turpin says the answer is yes.
What’s Next for Austin Turpin?
Turpin didn’t name a specific opponent, but his message was clear.
“Whoever I get next, their head’s coming off their shoulders.”
He also said he’s ready to compete again as soon as Power Slap needs him, even teasing availability for Power Slap 20.
“I ain’t never busy.”
Final Take
Austin Turpin’s heavyweight return wasn’t perfect, but it was effective.
He got the win, shook off the rust, and reminded fans why he remains one of the most entertaining personalities in Power Slap.
Now the question is simple:
Who’s next for Terp Daddy Slim?