Former Melbourne Storm powerhouse Nelson Asofa-Solomona is making waves in the sports world by transitioning from rugby league to professional boxing. The New Zealand international has signed a multi-year deal with Australian promoters No Limit, marking a significant career shift as he prepares for his debut bout on January 16.
Asofa-Solomona, who had been rumored to be considering a move to the English Super League or R360, has instead chosen to explore the boxing ring. His first professional fight is scheduled to take place on the undercard of the Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa event. “I’ve thrown myself a bit into the unknown, taken a risk,” Asofa-Solomona told foxsports.com.au. “Sometimes I think ‘what the hell am I doing?’ But I think you have to be in that mindset sometimes where you feel a little nervous. As I said, what’s life without risk?”
From Rugby League to Boxing
The 201cm athlete, known for his formidable presence on the rugby field, previously fought fellow NRL player Jarrod Wallace, securing a third-round TKO in Townsville. Despite initially believing that would be his only boxing match, Asofa-Solomona has found a passion for the sport. “I thought that was going to be my only fight, I didn’t think too much of it,” he said. “But it’s something that I enjoy. I woke up in the morning and boxing was the second or third thing on my mind.”
Rugby league and boxing have a history of crossover, with athletes like Paul Gallen and Anthony Mundine successfully transitioning to the ring. However, Asofa-Solomona is determined to forge his own path. “I want to pave my own way,” he stated, acknowledging the inspiration from his predecessors. “I really respect what Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams, and Anthony Mundine have done in their careers. But I just want to pave my own way.”
Challenges and Aspirations
No Limit CEO George Rose expressed confidence in Asofa-Solomona’s potential, noting the challenges in finding an opponent willing to face him. “I don’t know if people will be putting their hand up for this one,” Rose remarked. “That card just got bigger… it just got six-foot-7 bigger. We want him to be big, we want him to be devastating. We want him to showcase that power he’s got. And when you’re big in the heavyweight division, size matters.”
Asofa-Solomona is not only looking to dominate the Australian heavyweight scene but also has ambitions on the global stage. “It’d be silly not to think like that, there’s a lot of hard work in front of me,” he admitted. “I’m keen just to pin the ears back.”
Adapting to a New Environment
After a decade with the Melbourne Storm, Asofa-Solomona found himself at a crossroads, feeling it was time for a change. Transitioning from a team-based sport to the individual nature of boxing presents its own set of challenges. “I actually rather it in a way, because as a boxer, it’s just on you. No one is going to keep you accountable but yourself,” he explained. “There’s someone on the other end trying to knock you out, I don’t want to end up on someone else’s highlight reel.”
Known for his aggression on the rugby field, which often led to suspensions, Asofa-Solomona’s natural power is expected to be an asset in the boxing ring. However, he is committed to refining his technique beyond raw power. “I just love the sweet science. There’s the brutality of the sport but there’s also the sweet science of setting up a shot,” he said. “I don’t want it to be all grunt and like a pub fight. I want to give the respect to boxing and really focus on the real basics.”
Looking Ahead
As he embarks on this new chapter, Asofa-Solomona is studying the techniques of boxing legends like Lennox Lewis, Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury, and Wladimir Klitschko. Despite having opportunities to continue in rugby league or switch to rugby union, he has chosen to pursue his newfound passion for boxing. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s no secret I’ve fallen out of love with the game of rugby league, for now, but I’ve fallen in love with the boxing game,” he confessed. “I’m here to test myself. I’m here to take a risk… ultimately I would regret it if I didn’t give it a shot.”
The sports world will be watching closely as Asofa-Solomona steps into the ring on January 16, eager to see how his skills and determination translate to boxing. As he prepares for this significant challenge, the former rugby star is focused on making a name for himself in a new arena.
