NELSON Asofa-Solomona is the latest rugby star to make a transformation into boxing.
The 6ft 7in prop – nicknamed Big Nasty – had a ten year career playing rugby league for Melbourne Storm.
But after falling out of love with the sport, he has put his size and athleticism to use as a boxer.
He told Fox Sports: “Rugby league stopped loving me.
“And while I do still love the game, I just think it’s slowly losing its fabric. The game is losing its bones.
“And that’s why I gravitated to boxing – it’s a gladiatorial sport. Boxing still has its bones and that will never change.”
Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Gallen and Curtis Scott are among those to have swapped rugby for boxing.
And Asofa-Solomona follows, after admitting: “I don’t want to expand too much, bro. But you only have to look at my career and how things panned out.
“I missed two grand finals. And both times, it was for things that were accidents.
“And missing consecutive grand finals? For accidents? You’ve never seen it before. And that’s why I just didn’t feel like any of it was about playing anymore.
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“Things were out of my control.”
Asofa-Solomona – who represented New Zealand from 2017-2025 – was also tempted by a move into rugby union.
He was approached by R360 – headed up by 2003 England World Cup winner Mike Tindall – but the rebel league’s launch is delayed until 2028.
Asofa-Solomona – who walked out on his £400,000 Melbourne Storm deal – added: “My big toe is still in the door. I never say never to nothing.
“I told every NRL club that I spoke to the same thing: my heart’s not in it right now, but never say never.
“They (R360) were interested, and I was interested as well, but in my mindset I was always going to have a rest and maybe just travel.
“We play and we miss the European summer, so I wanted to experience that.”
Asofa-Solomona is set to debut at heavyweight on Friday on the undercard of Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa in Brisbane.
And he is facing former rugby rival Jeremy Latimore – who is 1-0 as a boxer.
I’m a big, gentle giant but as we get closer to fight night, I can feel the wheels turning a little bit.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Asofa-Solomona, 29, said: “With boxing it’s so much different than a team sport.
“You’ve got to back yourself; you’ve got to be confident. So I’m not surprised that he is confident.
“But what I’m discovering in boxing is that you’ve got to have somewhat of a delusion — or be somewhat delusional — and I think it’s on full display there.
“He’s done rounds with Gal, but he hasn’t done rounds with me. So we’re going to find out.
“I’m a big, gentle giant but as we get closer to fight night, I can feel the wheels turning a little bit.
“A bit of that warfare mindset is starting to get in my head and I think you’ll see a different Nelson when I get to the ring.
“I think the biggest thing is the mental warfare, and I’m sure he’s going through a bit of it right now, knowing the power that I possess.
“Credit to him, but I’m here to do a job. I’m looking for that highlight reel finish.”
