Nelson Asofa-Solomona has declared himself ready to let George Burgess challenge for his tag of Australian crossover king – and says he already has spies sending him workout footage of the South Sydney premiership hero.

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The declaration comes as the fighter dubbed ‘Big Nasty’ suffered a huge scare in his Easter Sunday slobberknocker against Jarrod Wallce, with the former NRL enforcer getting tagged several times in the opening two rounds and suffering a nasty forehead cut.

However, eventually, Asofa-Solomona found his range and, by the third, earned himself yet another highlight reel finish courtesy of two knockdowns, including via a brutal right hand. 

Speaking backstage afterwards however, the 130kg puncher also stressed his own damage wasn’t caused by a Wallace punch, but instead a clash of heads with the former Queensland Origin forward, laughing: “He tried to kiss me”.

He also welcomed a fight with Burgess and promised to put him to sleep.

Despite having already released a No Limit hit list that goes all the way to Paul Gallen, NAS was forced to fight through some adversity in Wollongong before earning a second highlight reel finish in as many fights.

While it had been three years since the pair first threw down in an exhibition bout, the former Melbourne Storm prop eventually earned his win in exactly the same fashion – a third round finish.

Yet while Wallace entered the ring as a $5 underdog, the Queenslander rocked NAS several times in the opening two rounds – including via a big right hook – and was also tackled to the ground by the Melburnian when he had him troubled in the first.

It was also in the opening round that Asofa-Solomona was cut above the right eye, however both the fighter and his team suggested afterwards it had been from a headbutt.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Burgess confirmed he and No Limit have already agreed for him to fight NAS next, and potentially on Nikita Tszyu’s next event in early April.

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The former Rabbitoh was sat ringside for the fight and entered the ring immediately afterwards, not only agreeing to the fight but taking a crack at Asofa-Solomona’s head cut.

While he hasn’t fought professionally, Burgess has trained with Australian fight greats Jeff Fenech and Danny Green.

However, when asked about the next challenge to his hyped crossover career afterwards, NAS suggested he has already seen training video of the former bookend, and isn’t too worried about what he brings.

Asked by Fox Sports Australia about fighting someone with zero tape, NAS replied: “Zero tape? No, we’ve got tape on him, don’t you worry about that.

“I know people who know people.”

So you’ve already got spies in the Burgess camp?

“I’ve got spies everywhere, brother,” he grinned

Asked about the type of build that would come with a Burgess fight he continued: “He’s an actor. He can sell the fight.

“And that’s what we’re looking for, someone to sell the fight … and someone for me to put to sleep.”

Elsewhere, Asofa-Solomona also spoke about having overcome some adversity through the first two rounds with Wallace.

“I f***ing love this s***,” he said. “I love adversity.

“That’s where I’m from. I’m from f***ing adversity my whole life.

“Do you know who I am?

“I love this s***. I love it.”

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But as for fighting Burgess as soon as April?

“I’ll go back with Team Ellis, and we’ll go through the list,” he said. “Mentally I might need a little bit of break. But tomorrow is a new day. I could wake up and want to go again.”

And as for what caused the cut?

“What was it? Headbutt,” he grinned. “He tried to kiss me.

“But it is what it is.

“You’re not always going to have everything go to plan.

“But it was good learnings. Jarrod gave me some good work.

“You’re not always going to get the first round knockout.

“He was showing me something different which was good. Something to learn from.

“He was good with his movements.

“Taking me off planting my feet.

“So back to the drawing board.”

Already being hailed Australia’s new crossover king, Asofa-Solomona hired a private pilot as part of this week’s fight entourage – flying by private aircraft from Melbourne to both the Sydney press conference and then Wollongong fight.

After tipping the scales at almost 134kg on Saturday, NAS declared: “We’ve landed the plane … now we land the punch on his f***ing chin”.

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But after walking into the Wollongong Entertainment Centre on Sunday wearing a balaclava, and then walking out to Simply the Best, the heavyweight in the bright yellow trunks was tested plenty early by his underdog rival.

Wallace landed several times in the opening two rounds and, midway through the first, appeared to rattle his towering rival.

However by the third, it was all one way traffic and NAS finally got the finish.

As a result, all eyes now turn to a showdown with Burgess.

As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia, the retired Souths prop already has a deal in place to fight Asofa-Solomona next up – with the bout slated for Nikita Tszyu’s next event in early April.

Speaking this week, Burgess revealed how he was inspired to take the fight while filming alongside Hollywood’s Russell Crowe before a live MMA crowd in Bangkok.

After retiring from the NRL, Burgess has taken up acting and boasts a role in an upcoming fight flick co-written by Crowe – Beast — and said it was while filming on the same night as a raucous One Championship event that he decided to throw himself into the crossover space.