Australia has a rich recent tradition in the Super Featherweight & Lightweight divisions where both Robbie Pedan & Michael Katsidis won world titles respectively & and Lenny Zappavigna will challenge for one on 12 March. Next on the production line could well be “Showtime” Paul Fleming 8-0(5). The 22 year old represented his country in the 2008 Olympics having had a stellar amateur career before opting to turn professional. He hopes to fight in America in 2011 where he’s well aligned with manager Cameron Dunkin & promoter by Top Rank. Here’s what Fleming had to say about his life, his passion for tattoos and the recent flooding in his home state of Queensland.
Hello Paul, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – What is your schedule for 2011? When are you next likely to fight?
Paul Fleming – I’m fighting in Perth on the 12th of March on a very good card against a Filipino. I’m very eager to get back inside the ropes and put on a good performance.
Anson Wainwright – You’re on record as saying you want to fight in America in 2011. Can you tell us how plans are coming along on this front & why you’d like to fight in America?
Paul Fleming – Yeah, things are coming along great. Looking to fight in late April hopefully on a big card. I want to fight in the USA because that’s where the best fighters are, that’s the measuring stick. Who in the world doesn’t want to fight at a Caesar’s Palace, Mandalay Bay, or an MGM Grand?!
Anson Wainwright – Could you describe your style of fighting?
Paul Fleming – 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.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about team Fleming, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at?
Paul Fleming – 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.
Anson Wainwright – What was it like growing up in Tully when you were young? And how did you first become interested in and take up Boxing?
Paul Fleming – 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.
Anson Wainwright – You had a good amateur career and fought for Australia in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where you lost to the eventual Silver medalist. What can you tell us about your experience of the Olympics? Also what other tournaments did you win? What was your final record?
Paul Fleming – 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.
Anson Wainwright – What top amateurs did you fight and how did you get on? Also what current pros have you trained with? Any sparring or training with Michael Katsidis or Lenny Zappavigna?
Paul Fleming – 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.
I currently train with Billy Dib, a top contender in the featherweight division. I haven’t sparred with Michael or Lenny yet, but have sparred with Vic Darchinyan and Chris John.
Anson Wainwright – Your home state of Queensland was recently hit very badly by both flooding and later a cyclone. What impact has it had on your friends and family?
Paul Fleming – Tully was the worst place hit by the cyclones, and sadly a lot of our friend’s 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.
Anson Wainwright – You’re obviously a big fan of tattoos and have covered your body in them. Many times when people have tattoos there is a reason behind certain ones. What can you tell us about that?
Paul Fleming – It’s a passion of mine. I guess it’s like a hobby for both me and my girlfriend, and some of our closest friends. Everything on my body has a meaning to me, mostly family and also to resemble times and thing I’ve endured throughout my life. I have plans for many more but just have to find the time and money!
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about yourself as a person away from Boxing, what do you enjoy doing with your spare time? Do you have a hobbies or Interests of note? Do you follow other sports, if so what ones and what teams do you support?
Paul Fleming – 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.
Anson Wainwright – What fighters did you look up to when you grew up & who do you like to see fight today?
Paul Fleming – Huge fan of Sweet Pea, Pernell Whitaker, Manny Pacquiao. Love smart, fast-moving southpaws. Love Sugar Ray Robinson. I try to take the good things out of every boxer. There is so much to learn from just watching fight footage of the best. My problem is that I don’t probably watch enough as I love my movies too much (Laughs).
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?
Paul Fleming – Firstly, thanks for the interview Anson. 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. Also, check out my website: http://www.paulfleming.net.au
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
Thursday Thoughts – I spoke to Nonito Donaire on Monday night, he told me he’s heading back to The Philippines at the end of the week for around 3 weeks. He’s said Brandon Rios winning felt like him winning all over again and that he’s pleased for the whole team. He hopes to fight 2 more times this year and wants to be undisputed champion before moving up in weight. He views the Agbeko-Mares fight as 50-50…Yesterday David Haye told Sky Sports that negotiations with Wladimir Klitschko are once again taking place. He went on to add that he is quietly confident that the fight will happen later this year & that he believed that it was 90% done. Can’t help but think we’ve heard this before, we all continue to hope…Tony Sims Darren Barker’s manager/trainer confirmed to me that Barker will face Domenico Spada at Earls Court, Olympia, London on 30 April.
