Joey Lee Paul: “I’m not satisfied, I know there’s another level that I am capable of, and that’s what I’m chasing.”

Joey Lee Paul: “I’m not satisfied, I know there’s another level that I am capable of, and that’s what I’m chasing.”

It’s been a year of forward momentum for Joey Lee Paul. The 26-year-old Australian welterweight is still busy. Incredibly so. There is the day job as a chiropractor. There are ongoing studies. And she fights. And there has been progress and plenty of it since FightPost last spoke to Paul. Selected to fight for her country is a great honour for her, and a sign that her career is moving in the right direction.

“The last six months have been a big step forward for me,” Paul told me. “Being named on the Australian team was a huge milestone and something I’ve worked towards for a long time. I was also able to get my first international win, which gave me a lot of confidence that I belong at that level. Alongside that, I’ve been exposed to higher-level training environments and competition, which has really pushed my development. It hasn’t all been smooth with a bit of time out through injury, but overall it’s been a really positive period of growth.

Paul is extremely pleased with how her boxing career is progressing. “I’m happy with the direction I’m heading, especially hitting milestones that I have been aiming for for a while. They’re good indicators that things are working. But I’m not satisfied, I know there’s another level that I am capable of, and that’s what I’m chasing.”

A minor niggling injury is now firmly behind her, and the highly-promising amateur stand-out is looking to make her mark on the international scene in 2026. “Right now the focus is getting back to full training and building momentum again after injury,” Paul relayed to me. “There are some international opportunities coming up, so it’s about putting myself in the best position to take those. The goal is to stay active and keep building on the experience I’ve started to gain overseas.”

“Over the next 12 months, I want to build on those milestones,” Paul added. “I want more international experience, more wins at that level, and to really put myself in contention at the nationals. I want to establish myself as someone who can consistently perform, not just have one-off moments.”

It’s a simple target for Joey Lee Paul. A desire to reach her full potential. “Long-term, the aim is to become the best boxer I’m capable of being. I want to keep developing, keep testing myself at higher levels, and see how far I can take it. There’s a lot I still want to achieve in the sport, but for me, it comes back to showing up every day, improving, and building something I’m genuinely proud of.”

Going forward, turning professional is a distinct possibility, but the amateur ranks are the immediate aim. “Turning pro is definitely something I’m open to down the track. But right now my focus is on the amateur system. There’s still a lot I want to achieve there, especially now that I’ve had a taste of international competition.”

Boxing is only part of the Joey Lee Paul story. A chiropractor by trade, a day job that sits alongside her coaching and studying commitments. “It’s busy, but it works well,” Paul says of her insanely busy schedule. “Being a chiropractor and strength and conditioning coach complements my boxing, and studying keeps me developing as a practitioner. It all ties together, which helps.

“It can be hard, but I think that’s part of pursuing something at a high level. It comes down to structure and discipline. I’ve built my weeks around training, work, and recovery, and I’m pretty clear on my priorities. There are long days, but it’s all moving me towards where I want to go.”

Paul is now thirty-one fights into her boxing career. There is obvious progress, despite the beyond busy lifestyle. Maybe that is the most impressive thing about her. Some would make excuses for her schedule. Paul just thrives in that hectic life of hers. It is a career that is only just starting. It could move her into contention for the 2028 Olympic Games or even world titles when she eventually decides to turn over. But nothing is certain, but Paul wants to become the best fighter that she can possibly be. That much is guaranteed.