Biography
“Showtime”
- 2008 Olympian for Australia (amateur), 125 pounds…
- 2008 Chemistry Cup (amateur), 125 pounds - Gold Medalist…
- 2008 Oceanian Championships (amateur), 125 pounds - Gold Medalist…
At the age of 24, Paul is a four-year pro. A prospect at 130 pounds, he is a former international amateur standout.
He has stayed active in the ring as a pro and made good progress.
Sam Davis wrote on abc.net.au [Feb. 19, 2013 - excerpts]: Keen to show he's more than just a counterpunching southpaw, Tully boxer Paul Fleming says he's ready to go toe-to-toe with Bangkok-based fighter Pompetch Sor Sompong this Saturday night in Caloundra.
The super featherweight, still undefeated after 17 fights with 12 knockouts says he hopes for a good fight following a tough bout in December against Filipino fighter Baleeg Bangoyan.
Fleming eventually won the match comfortably but was forced to overcome a surprising flash knockdown in the first round from Bangoyan.
This time around, he says he'll abandon his typical run-and-gun style and take the fight straight to his opponent.
"Instead of falling into the category of a one-dimensional fighter we're trying different things," he says.
"We're going to come forward and apply pressure so we've been sparring and training accordingly."
Fleming says the change in style is "massive" but will help him in the long run.
"At the next level you've got to be able to stand and fight when you have to and be able to box and move," he says.
"I've got the boxing and movin' down pat and this is the other side.
"Guys won't expect me to come out there and stand in the pocket with them.
"Their whole training camps will be about fighting a boxing southpaw that moves and if I stand there with them all that basically goes up in flames."
Following the Caloundra fight Fleming will appear in the undercard of two-time Olympic gold medallist Zou Shiming's professional debut in Macao, China.
It will be the second time Fleming has fought in China, having competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 while still an amateur.
The fight will be the first time Fleming's promoters Top Rank have showcased fighters in Asia and he says he's excited by the opportunity.
"They've got three cards over there so if this all goes to plan and I impress then I'll be on the next one and hopefully again at the end of the year," he says.
"I'm not too far from being a serious contender for a world title [at this stage] so every fight counts."
Paul told Anson Wainwright of 15 Rounds.com [Mar. 3, 2011 - excerpts]: I’m a flashy southpaw with fast hands and a bit of pop. I can fight on the inside if required, but have a good eye thanks to my Aboriginal genes. I’m a well-rounded fighter.
I have two managers. Cameron Dunkin in Las Vegas, who of course is very well-known and respected in the boxing world, and Australian manager Mike Altamura. He is a younger guy but has some good up and coming boxers and if everything goes according to plan, we will put him on the map. My trainer is Billy Hussein. I moved states just to train with him. He’s a very well-known in Australia and around the world and it is such an honour to train with him. It honestly feels like we’ve been together for years. I’m learning so much from him.
My promoter is Top Rank. Not much has to be said if you’re in the boxing world about them. They are the biggest and most successful promoters in boxing, they’ve started and promoted everyone - Ali, De La Hoya, Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, to name a few, and it’s a privilege to be signed to them.
Tully is such a small town, everyone knows everyone. I was a lonely kid, I grew up in the bush on the farms riding motorbikes, climbing trees, bushwalking. It’s an amazing place, and when my boxing career is finished, I want to move back there again and live a quiet life, grow vegetables, very simple you know!
I was always into fighting, karate, boxing, etc. All that I used to watch was Karate Kid, Ninja Turtles, and my dad used to teach me how to punch. He would get on his knees and spar with me when I was around four. I’ve always seemed to have a set of boxing gloves and it was either football or boxing, and when I remained small, I decided to take boxing seriously.
My final amateur record was 83-17. The best I fought was Khedafi Djelkhir at the Olympics, he won the silver medal. It was a close fight. I lost by four points. I won the National titles quite a few times (Both Junior and Senior), Oceania, the Chemistry Cup, and also won a bronze at the 2006 World Juniors.
I fought a lot of the top amateurs in the world. Djelkhir as mentioned, Stephen Smith, Idel Torriente, Joel Brunker, Luke Jackson, and many others.
Tully was the worst place hit by the cyclones, and sadly a lot of our friends’ houses were destroyed. Thankfully my family house was okay, and my mum and sister were okay, and that’s the most important thing. The flooding hit further down south so I don’t know anyone affected by it, but I really feel for those that were.
I’m a simple person. Give me a TV and some movies, and I’ll be right for days. I’m lazy when not training. I love just hanging out with my close friends and going to dinner. My hobby is tattoos. I love going to tattoo shows and helping mates design their tattoos. Strange, I know, but it’s what I love. Also love chilling with my girlfriend. We have the same kinda mindset and she is one of my best friends.
As for my fans, I just want them to stay tuned as this year is going to be really exciting. I’ll put on a show every time I get in the ring, and I’m planning to show every aspect of boxing. I’ll fight, box, move, do everything that my ring name suggests I’ll do. I’ll live up to the “Showtime” Paul Fleming name. [End Wainwright item]
His webpage address is: paulfleming.net.au.
