Paul Weir Sits Down with Loaded
Paul Weir doesn’t come from the polished, hype-heavy side of boxing. He comes from the hard end of it. A Glaswegian through and through, Weir fought his way to the top and became WBO mini-flyweight world champion in 1996, earning his place the only way he knew how, by turning up, taking fights, and getting on with it.
He came up in an era where nothing was given, later stepping up to middleweight and sharing the ring with names like Robin Reid and Joe Calzaghe when British boxing was at its most unforgiving. No gimmicks, no shortcuts, just proper fights, at the highest level.
We sat down with Paul to talk honestly about titles, tough nights, and what it really takes to survive in the fight game.
What first got you into combat sports?
I started going to the boxing gym with friends from school and over time I was the last man still at it.
When you think back to your first fight, what do you remember most? Excitement on having my first fight and the nerves
How has your journey evolved since then?
Boxing felt natural for myself and I embraced every step of the journey, from my first amateur fight to becoming a two-weight world champion.
DEFINING THE FIGHTER’S MINDSET
“Every fighter has a code they live by.”
What’s the mindset or daily discipline that defines you?
I was mentally strong, focused and very disciplined. I had the three Ds: determination, discipline and desire.
How do you balance the mental and physical sides of training? I genuinely believed in my ability and my fitness was always at a peak come fight night as I trained religiously.
What’s been your hardest fight — this can be something metaphorical outside of competition too.
I've had a few tough fights, in and out the ring. My hardest or toughest was against Baby Jake Matlala from South Africa was was a fantastic fighter and a three weight/Time World Champion
THE BUSINESS OF FIGHTING
“We talk a lot about the physical fight, but not enough about the business side…”
What do most people not understand about what it takes to make a living in combat sports?
Combat sports are an entertainment business and putting bums on seats and now the dynamics have evolved thanks to the internet and social media. The model has changed since I was fighting myself. We had guys who filled the card but now these type of fighters are finding it hard to get work due to the model. Guys like Jake Paul have changed the promoters model now.
How have sponsorships or partnerships played a role in your career? I was fortunate enough when I fought to have had a few sponsors helping me out. Kappa, Maxim, energy drinks, and I would get products sent from some of the major brands.
If you could change one thing about how fighters are supported financially, what would it be?
Wow great question.... I'm hoping platforms like Combat Market can help make a difference for fighters of all sports and build a community where fighters, sports enthusiasts, business people and the combat community can create something big to help everyone.
THE FUTURE OF COMBAT
The industry is changing fast, fighters are becoming brands.
Do you see yourself as more than a fighter — as a brand, creator, or entrepreneur?
I find myself fortunate after retirement as I'm still involved in the industry helping fighters out, but I see opportunities within the industry where platforms can help fighters make a living even when they are not fighting through various aspects of social media.
What kind of products, gear, or wellness routines are you loyal to? I've been Adidas loyal for many years as I was fortunate enough to receive products regularly so to this day I'm still Adidas!
Platforms like Combat Market are giving fighters ownership. How important is that for the next generation? And if there was a way for every fighter to earn lifetime royalties from what they wear, use, or promote, what would that mean for you personally?
Combat Market is a massive boost for the next generation of fighters coming through. The landscape is changing rapidly and more and more of the next generation will become superstars online and hopefully in whatever Combat Sport they follow and Combat Market will play a massive part in that development as not every athlete will be fortunate enough to have a big promoter or TV Network behind them.
QUICKFIRE ROUND
Best knockout you’ve ever witnessed (not yours)?
Diego Corrales Vs Jose Luis Castllo 10th round KO and only the die hard boxing fans will relate to this
Who would you most love to spar with — past or present?
I sparred many world champions and one I would loved to have sparred was late great Johnny Tapia and Present unified World Champion Jesse Bam Rodrigues.
One piece of advice you’d give to fighters starting out today?
Work hard very hard. I see fighters today and paugh when I hear them say I'm going in to camp for my next fight in 3 months. We did not have camps when I fought. I could have been fighting one night then have a day of then back in to the gym to help train alongside team mate who might have a fight a few weeks later so the landscape has changed in that way and we did not have S&C coaches we all done circuits after training and that was that. Morning run, midday gym session that might consist of sparring and other technical work and later that night for a light shake out then we go again the next morning.
Complete the sentence: “The next 100 years of combat will be all about ______.”
Intelligence, discipline and evolution.