“The old bull wants some attention now.”
At 33 years old and undefeated in 28 fights, flamboyant super featherweight Paul Fleming has plenty to be proud of.
A bronze medallist at the 2006 world junior championships, Fleming represented Australia at the 2008 Olympic Games and made history last year when his indigenous artwork featured on the official Olympic uniforms for the first time.
TURF WAR: Sonny Bill Williams vs Barry Hall, live and exclusive on Stan Event, March 23. Purchase the event now at stan.com.au/event
But Fleming, whose intense skip rope sessions match his motormouth interview style, freely admits he has still not reached his boxing potential.
He says he floated by on natural ability at times during his twenties and didn’t always make the best decisions.
“You don’t heal the same as when you’re in your twenties,” said Fleming, who will fight Jackson England in the co-main event to Sonny Bill Williams vs Barry Hall on Wednesday.
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“But I’m still undefeated, still going hard and I live a pretty clean, physical life… I don’t stop, I’m constant. You don’t get a chance to stop when you’ve got five kids and No.6 on the way. Every kid is an extra grey hair and sleepless night, another bill to pay.
“So I just got smarter, not relying on that natural talent to get through everything. If I’m serious about fighting world champions then every per cent counts.
“That last second in the 12th round can be the difference between being world champion or going home and wondering.”
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The tattooed former concreter has found a second passion in indigenous artwork and vows to put on a show for his people at the Aware Super Theatre.
“I’ve fought at the Olympics and some big amateur tournaments overseas. I’ve done this before and they don’t call me ‘Showtime’ for nothing,” he said.
“I turn up and show up, every single time. That pressure of coming to fight me – you know all eyes are going to be on you and that puts enormous pressure on a lot of people. That’s going to be the deciding factor in this fight.
“He’s (England) never fought out of WA, he’s never fought an opponent like me and I think that big stage, the lights and everything, will get to him.”
Fleming has plenty of respect for part-time model England’s boxing ability, in particular his speed.
“But the experience level, the pressure will get to him and I think he has other options, the young fella. He’s a good looking guy, he can rebuild. I’m 34 this year and I should have had my shot a long time ago.
“I should have already had one or two belts draped over my shoulders but what’s gone has gone, what’s present is present.
“That’s the job in front of me, England, and once he’s out of the way I think we’ve got some big news and big things will hopefully happen.
“Father Time is undefeated, I’m just doing all I can to stay ahead of him.”
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