Nelson Asofa-Solomona has promised to put George Burgess “on his ass” just like the “principal or teacher” who laid out the former Rabbitohs premiership winner in a game of local footy last month.
‘Big Nasty’ and Burgess met face-to-face on Thursday, less than a week out from their heavyweight stoush on the Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker world title fight undercard in Brisbane on June 24.
A hot topic for Asofa-Solomona ahead of his third professional boxing match was Burgess’ appearance at a charity rugby league match a few weeks ago.
Burgess was spotted sending a winger flying into orbit, but was splayed out himself shortly afterwards.
With Burgess taking numerous shots at Asofa-Solomona for hiding on the wing and shying away from head-to-head confrontations with front-rowers in his playing days, ‘NAS’ didn’t back down.
“Apparently he ran at someone’s principal or teacher,” Asofa-Solomona said of Burgess’ run.
“He’s saying that I ran away from the big boys in the middle, but he’s running at wingers.
“It’s very hypocritical.”
Shown a clip of Burgess being sent to the turf, Asofa-Solomona quipped: “That guy looks like he got off the couch, rolled up to local footy and put Burgess on his ass.
“I’m gonna do the same on Wednesday – I’m keen.
“It doesn’t even look like he’s been training or sparring. He’s been playing footy and acting.
“I’m keen to inflict violence, that’s why I’m here. He’s in my way and I have to get rid of him.”
Burgess has kept his boxing training a closely held secret, but finally allowed a few people to watch him throw hands at Thursday’s open workouts.
“I’m feeling good, confident and we’ve done the work,” he said. “We’ve given maybe five per cent away, but we’ve still got a few cards up our sleeve, so I’m looking forward to pulling out a few tricks on Wednesday.
“We’re both going out there to knock each other out, so it’s going to be fireworks.”
Meanwhile, in Wednesday’s main event, Paro and IBF welterweight world champion Crocker conducted their open workouts, but the Northern Irishman’s camp flat out refused to pose for a face-off photo.
“It’s all fight week anticipation, it’s always good to get the boys together looking in each other’s eyes,” Paro’s trainer, Alfie di Carlo said. “No disrespectful things, but I think it’s always good to do that.
“For whatever reason, the boys decided they didn’t want to be a part of that.”