Australian boxing news 2023: No Limit drops rising star Paulo Aokuso in shock split
Just three weeks after the biggest win of his career, one of the rising stars of Australian boxing has been axed in a stunning break-up with No Limit Boxing.
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It’s the sudden split that has shocked Australian boxing, and No Limit says there was no shortage of investment into Paulo Aokuso before they decided to release him.
Aokuso and No Limit have parted ways after falling out over his promotion, with the undefeated light-heavyweight signing a one-fight deal with Stan Sport.
It’s understood internal ructions between the promoters and Aokuso’s team had been simmering for some time.
No Limit chief executive George Rose said his organisation made the “tough decision” to axe Aokuso from their roster just three weeks after he appeared on their Fox Sports show defeating Renold Quinlan via unanimous decision.
“Paulo is a very talented fighter, which is why we invested so heavily in him from the moment he turned professional and rightly had him headlining shows on Fox Sports and appearing as co-main event to Tim Tszyu on a pay-per-view card in his first five fights,” Rose said.
“No other fighter in our stable has had that kind of promotion at that stage of their careers.
“Unfortunately in sport tough decisions are made in doing so we have decided to release Paulo to pursue other opportunities.
“We wish Paulo the best in his journey, wherever that may take him, and our focus remains on the unrivalled stable of boxers fighting under the No Limit banner as we prepare for a huge two years of major events in Australia and abroad.”
Aokuso indicated he didn’t get the level of promotion he deserves.
“My team and I had things planned for my career, with only five fights they’ve taken me a long way, but I feel like I deserve more if that makes sense,” Aokuso said.
“My manager and my coaches know the same as well, we’ve chosen a different path.
“No Limit did a real good job of bringing my name out, to make sure everyone knows who ‘Sweet P’ is.
“I know I have more potential than other fighters, I have a bigger profile than them, and I feel like my name wasn’t being thrown around as much as it should be.
“Just coming off the Olympics, I wasn’t really known as an Olympian like Harry Garside was – I understand because he got a medal – but I would have liked something more.”
Aokuso (5-0, 3KO) is expected to make his debut on Stan in October, in a pay-per-view card featuring football players, but indicated he was also negotiating with overseas promoters for future bouts.
“I don’t feel disrespected (by No Limit) or anything like that, things happened, at the end of the day my coaches and my manager know what’s best for me, they’ve got me to where I am now so I trust my team,” Aokuso said.
“I’ve got my first fight with Stan coming up, we’re talking to international promoters too, but we can’t give everything away.”
Originally published as Australian boxing news 2023: No Limit drops rising star Paulo Aokuso in shock split
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