Joseph Suaalii deserves $10 million contract, but uncle Paulo Aokuso says he’ll be worth $100 million

Australia’s newest boxing star has revealed his grand ambitions and insists his “hectic” nephew Joseph Suaalii will be worth every cent of a potential $10 million rugby contract.

Boxing sensation Paulo Aokuso says his nephew Joseph Suaalii is worth every cent of a potential $10 million contract, but believes by the time he reaches the peak of his own career he’ll be earning 10 times that amount.

Tokyo Olympian Aokuso, who has already set himself the task of breaking Jeff Fenech’s record of becoming the fastest Australian boxer to win a world title, believes he can also become the nation’s first $100 million fighter.

The 25-year-old and Roosters star Suaalii grew up together in Sydney’s western suburbs, and Aokuso dismissed any notion the NRL player does not deserve a $10m payday in rugby union, while speculation is rife that the teenager will quit the Roosters if he’s not given the fullback jersey worn by James Tedesco.

“He’s only just turned 19, when he reaches his mature age he will be hectic,” Aokuso told News Corp. “Look at Jordan Mailata, a $95 million contract in the NFL [with Philadelphia Eagles], one of the richest Australian athletes ever.

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Paulo Aokuso and Joseph Suaalii are making big waves in their respective sports. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“Australia don’t really give opportunities to those who have potential talent, America will bring anyone in from wherever, just to showcase their talent.

“Joseph deserves it all, I’ll be honest. I’ve seen him grow, seen him play, he’s probably one of the best wingers out there.

“I know he’s bigger and taller, but believe it or not he’s actually my nephew.

“We were always together because of family, his dad is my first cousin. And my dad’s family, we’re all sporty, all athletic.

“Me and my family, we always knew Joseph is going to be something great because he was doing athletics, basketball, he was making big teams, league, union, basketball, NSW. We always knew he was going to be special.

Joseph Suaalii has had a big year with the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos

“He was good at every single sport.

“It’s a proud moment to see him there.

“Hopefully one day, he’ll be the greatest ever Australian athlete.”

But Aokuso is determined to be the major sporting star of the family, and earn the dollars that come with it.

“I just want to make big money, I love the sport, but I love the money as well,” Aokuso said.

“They say money doesn’t bring happiness, but I feel money could make not just me, but my community, my family happy. I want to give back not just to me but everyone around us, help kids.

“Ever since [Floyd] Mayweather left, no one is making over $100 million, no one is even close to making $500 million, and I don’t know when we’ll get back to that.

Floyd Mayweather Jr was a money-making machine in the ring. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Getty Images

“I’m happy enough to get $10 million a fight, that would be enough to feed my family, the kids back home, the community.

“That’s my goal, and hopefully in the future my biggest payday will be at least $100 million. It’s possible, I’m here not just to muck around and fight people who are not on my level.

“I’m not just here to win belts, I’m here to make history. When people come after me in Australian boxing, I want them to be like, ‘I want to be like Paulo, fight the best of the best’.”

Aokuso’s bold statements can only come to fruition if he can lure a showdown with boxing’s biggest star, Canelo Alvarez, who earns between $60 million to $100 million a fight.

Given he is fighting at light-heavyweight, a division Alvarez has been a champion in before, Aokuso is hoping to corner the Mexican into a showdown within three years.

Paulo Aokuso is hoping to fight Mexican star Canelo Alvarez. Picture: Denis Poroy/Getty Images

First he must live up to his own hype, winning a world title within six fights to beat the record of Fenech, who did it in seven.

He is already 2-0 (2KO), has been mentioned in a rap song (Brisbane rapper Lisi’s 64 Bars), and fights Faris Chevalier (13-2, 7KO) for the vacant IBO Intercontinental title in Newcastle on October 8.

A win would rocket him up the global rankings and put him on course for a title shot in his sixth bout.

A former league player himself – a prop who alongside Jaydn Su’A and Phillip Sami as a teenager – Aokuso is taking no short cuts in the ring.

“Right now, boxing tells you your 0 (unbeaten record) is dangerous, and once that 0 is gone people don’t want to know you, so people don’t want to take that risk,” Aokuso said.

Paulo Aokuso, right, has grand plans for his boxing career. Picture: Frank Franklin/Getty Images

“But I’m a risk-taker, I’m not going to go around saying ‘I’ve got 20 fights and 0 losses’, but against who? If you’re not risking it, you’re not doing the sport.

“Mayweather fought world champion after world champion, that’s what I want to do, not play around with little kids.

“People may say I’m cocky, but I’m not. I know how good I am, I have the confidence and the talent, I just believe in myself so much.”

Originally published as Joseph Suaalii deserves $10 million contract, but uncle Paulo Aokuso says he’ll be worth $100 million