Fleming returns to ring
Fighter keeps one eye on world title prize
TULLY pugilist Paul Fleming’s quest for an elusive world title fight continues tonight when he steps into the ring for the first time in 12 months to take on Tanzanian fighter Sadiki Momba in Sydney.
The undefeated super featherweight will feature as the main event at Bankstown Emporium, a long-awaited return following his total knockout of Jerope Mercado in Hong Kong this time last year.
Fleming, whose record is 23-0, including 15 knockouts, since he turned professional following the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said he was eager to showcase his skills again.
“I’d fight in a phone booth in Kings Cross if I had to, mate,” he said. “The fire is still there. I’ve had opportunities for some big fights in the last year but they just haven’t happened at the right time.
“You want to have as level a playing field as possible.
“When people offer you a fight in three weeks’ time in Mexico at altitude, at a weight you’ve never fought at, you’re probably silly if you do it.
“But there are some talks and maybe something big will come my way at the start of next year.”
With limited income from boxing, the talented southpaw has turned to scaffolding fulltime to earn a living for his family.
“I lift and carry steel all day,” the 29-year-old said.
“I’m gone from five in the morning, then I train from four ’til eight o’clock at night.
“It’s a tough gig. But I brought it on myself because I keep having kids.
“I’ve got three (kids) now and it’s not a cheap gig.”
Fleming’s coach Billy Hussein said his fighter needed to make the most of upcoming fights in order to potentially secure more lucrative fights in the coming months.
“We’ve just got to keep him sharp and alert,” Hussein said.
“Paul’s strengths are his speed, eye and his accuracy.
“We know that the call-up for a world title fight could come at any time.”
Fleming weighed in for the fight yesterday and said the challenge of dropping weight proved hard as he got older. “Bloody oath,” he said. “I weighed in at 59kg today and I was hurting.
“I hadn’t eaten or had a drink for 24 hours.
“Your body doesn’t recover as well and your metabolism is a lot slower now.
“Plus, when you’re lifting steel all day, you’ve got to rip off a lot of muscle weight, too. Right now, I look like a junkie.”