EXCLUSIVE: Star Aussie boxer forced to fund own fight after No Limit's 'strange' call
If you've watched a No Limit boxing show over the past few years it would be hard to miss Paul Fleming.
The Indigenous south-paw, 34, known for his Aboriginal-themed ring walks and his toughness inside the squared-circle, was once a mainstay on the bourgeoning promotion but more recently aligned with New Zealand promoter Dean Lonergan.
But No Limit's recent exclusive broadcast deal with Fox Sports created a power vacuum, forcing fighters to jump ship from Lonergan's camp in order to get air time. Fleming, the 2008 Olympian whose record stands at 28-0-1, has been left out in the cold.
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The former Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder and father of six will take to the ring for a super featherweight bout Wednesday night to face undefeated Filipino Charly Suarez at Kevin Betts Stadium in Sydney's west, but he had to organise and fund it himself.
With the division's top two spots vacant, Fleming, who is rated No.11 in the IBF super featherweight rankings, is two wins away from a world title shot.
The former world junior championship medal winner said it was a shame he would not contest such a prominent fight in front of a television audience.
"Now it's held under the one banner and it's difficult," Fleming told Wide World of Sports.
"You don't have a working relationship with them (No Limit). You've got no chance of getting on the card and I guess it's all on their terms now.
"It's unfortunate because I feel like I'm a headline fighter, I know I'm the most exciting fighter in this country.
"No one has the walk outs that I do, the interviews that I do or puts on the fights that I do.
"I've proved that the last couple of fights, so it's unfortunate I'm not getting air time. It is what it is, that's not going to stop me working for a world title."
Paul Fleming celebrates beating Vergil Puton in Brisbane. Getty
Fleming insisted he has "no dramas" with No Limit despite not being a fixture on their shows for some time. He disappeared from No Limit cards despite several eye-catching performances for the company.
"They got their plans and I don't seem to be in it at the moment," he added. "They've got our details if they want me on the show.
"I'm not going to run around with my tongue out wagging my tail, trying to get a fight on their cards.
"They're an Indigenous company. They're run by Indigenous boys and I'm the headline Indigenous fighter in the country. It's strange.
Paul Fleming reacts in his WBA Oceania Super Featherweight title fight against Tyson Lantry at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on March 31, 2021 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Getty
"I don't know what their plans are. Maybe it has something to do with the other fighters they have in my division. Maybe they want to do the fighters they have signed justice, I don't know."
No Limit firmly backed Queenslander Liam Wilson's WBO super featherweight title tilt against Emanuel Navarrete back in February.
Wilson was controversially beaten when the Mexican was given 27 seconds to recover after being dropped in the fourth.
Fleming says he's open to fighting Wilson in the future, which would then see Fleming return to the small screen.
"A lot of people are asking, why? If you go on their pages you'll see people asking, 'When's Showtime back?' 'When's Flemmo back on?'
"I'm not going to sit there and cry over spilt milk. I'm just going to keep digging in. I'm well overdue for a world title and that's the first and foremost thing on my mind."
Wide World of Sports reached out to No Limit, who wished Fleming luck for his bout on Wednesday night and confirmed that like all entertaining fighters he would be considered for future cards.
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