Dumped Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona has quit NRL and signed a boxing deal.
The powerful front-rower — who was granted a release from the final two years of his contract at the end of this year — had been linked to breakaway rugby competition R360.
Several NRL clubs had also been circling the New Zealand prop.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
But it has now been revealed by News Corp that the 200cm/115kg wrecking ball has signed “a full-time boxing deal”.
The 29-year-old will fight in the heavyweight division due to his size.
Asofa-Solomona — who was a member of the Storm’s premiership teams in 2017 and 2020 — missed this year’s grand final due to suspension. He was also out of action in last year’s grand final due to a ban.
But he recently admitted that he had lost a bit of love for NRL.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has quit NRL and signed a lucrative boxing deal. Credit: AAP
“I just need a bit of time off. It’s been a crazy past couple of years,” he told News Corp last month.
“I think I need to find a bit of joy back into the game … back into my game. If I was to stay in rugby league, I’d probably try and find a place where I can enjoy my football again.
“That’s pretty much what it is … just trying to find the love for something.”
It has been reported that Asofa-Solomona could make around $1 million a year from boxing and there are already plans for a fight against another NRL big man.
He is no stranger to boxing and had a fight against former Dolphins star Jarrod Wallace in 2023.
In that three-round battle he KO’d Wallace.
Asofa-Solomona was on a contract of nearly $850,000 a season at the Storm.
After a 215-game career at the club, he said: “I have been committed to the Storm since signing as a junior in 2011 …
“With over 10 years now at the top-level and given all I have achieved with the club, I have chosen to step away and consider other opportunities and new challenges.
“I’ve loved my time in Melbourne.
“I’m very thankful to all the players, coaches and staff that I had the privilege to work alongside during my time at such a prestigious club.”
– With AAP
Fresh chaos hits embattled NRL club with four board members sacked
2 min read
Former Bulldog set for key role as Bears land first recruits
2 min read